Central Oregon – Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was originally called, was first observed on May 30, 1868 as a day to place flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The holiday’s name was later changed to Memorial Day in 1971 and became a federal holiday to be observed on the last Monday in May. Here are a few local public events:
Bend: May 28 – Cemetery postings of USA flags on Veterans’ graves at Deschutes Memorial Gardens, Pilot Butte, and Greenwood Cemeteries. More info for Deschutes Gardens: Bob Cusick, 541-419-8463, cusickrobert@yahoo.com. More info for Pilot Butte/Greenwood: Mark Wirges, 541-420-5726.
Bend May 30 – 6:45 a.m. – Two hundred American flags will be displayed during Memorial Day in downtown Bend. They will be installed by Boy Scout Troop 25 and volunteers. Meet at Bend Heroes Memorial in Brooks Park at 6:45 a.m. for the opening ceremony.
Bend May 30 – 8 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Reading of the Names at Troy Field, Bond Street, Downtown Bend. A continuous reading of the names of every soldier killed in Afghanistan since 2001 and Iraq since 2003. Volunteers needed. Contact: Tracy, 541-310-0701, firstamendmentsightings@live.com
Deschutes Memorial Gardens – 1 p.m. – Ceremony and service at Deschutes Memorial Gardens on Hwy. 97. Speaker: Robert McHaney, World War II veteran. Reception following at VFW Post 1643, 1503 NE 4th St. Contact: Bob Cusick, 541-419-8463
Prineville: May 30 – 11 a.m. – Annual parade from 4th and Main to the Firefighter Memorial Park, followed by a ceremony at Juniper Haven Cemetery, hosted by VFW Post 1412, American Legion Post 27, and Band of Brothers. Afterwards a new memorial will be dedicated at the fairgrounds to honor all Crook County veterans, and a memorial service will be held at Juniper Havens Cemetery. Contact: Jim Taylor, 541-350-9766
Redmond: May 30 – 6 a.m. – USA flags raising; 1,400 flags posted around the city. Volunteers: report to Les Schwab store in Redmond at 6 a.m.
11 a.m. –Breakfast will be served at Post 44, 704 SW 8th St. Donations accepted. Ceremony at Redmond Cemetery, Yew Ave. and Old Bend-Redmond Hwy. An Avenue of Flags is displayed downtown to honor all veterans laid to rest at the cemetery. Guest Speakers: Mayor of Redmond George Endicott and Representative Gene Whisnant. Contact: Jack Newcome, 541-526-1371
Sisters – May 27 – Golfing for the Guard tournament at Aspen Lakes in Sisters. Proceeds benefit the Oregon National Guard’s Emergency Relief Fund. Info and registration: www.golfingfortheguard.us
Sisters – May 30 – 11 a.m. – American Legion Post 86 and VFW Post 8138 will host a ceremony at Village Green Park, Fir St. and Washington Ave. A BBQ will be served afterward. Contact: Bill Antilla, 541-549-1132
Terrebonne: May 28 – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – 2nd Annual Veterans BBQ at Crescent Moon Alpaca Ranch, 7566 North Hwy 97. BBQ and Car Show. Dog agility & fun demo. Music by USAF Vet Raven St. John and Songbird Tammy Boyd. Fun, prizes, vendors, and shearing demo (on Alpacas). Parkour demo, too! Contact: Kristina Olson, 541-390-7587. Car show registration: contact Fred Olson, 541-604-0585
La Pine: May 30 – 10 a.m. – American Legion Post 45 will host ceremony at Community Cemetery, Reed Rd. off Hwy. 97. Public open house and BBQ will be held later at Post 45, 52532 Drafter Rd. Contact: Pat Cotton, 541-536-1402
11 a.m. – Ceremony by American Legion Post 45 Honor Guard, celebrating those who have served, at the La Pine Cemetery. Contact: Alan C Wakefield, 541-433-2305, aandawakefield@yahoo.in
May 30 – 9 a.m. – Memorial ceremony held at Pioneer Cemetery, 485 NW Larch Ave. Contact: Jack Newcome, 541-526-1371
Salem – As part of the annual Memorial Day celebrations statewide, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will host a memorial ceremony on Monday, May 30, at 2 p.m., on the department’s grounds in Salem, 700 Summer St. N.E.
A military flyover is scheduled to open the public ceremony at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial where the names of 142 Oregonians killed while serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom will be read aloud by cadets from the Oregon State University ROTC program. Special guest speaker Col. Kevin Dial will deliver the keynote address.
The ceremony will also be broadcast live on ODVA’s public Facebook page (www.facebook.com/odvavet) beginning at 2:00 p.m. and available for replay thereafter.
The most current list of statewide community Memorial Day events is available online: www.oregon.gov/odva/Pages/2016-Memorial-Day-Events.aspx.
