The 19 th Annual Veterans Day parade will roll again through downtown Bend this Veterans
Day, Sunday, November 11 at 11.a.m. This is Central Oregon Veterans Outreach’s (COVO) inaugural
year as the new Producer of our town’s traditional Veterans Day parade, touted as one of the State of
Oregon’s largest parades.
“Our celebration is a mirror of thousands of communities across this nation that have parades for our
veteran heroes,” says J.W. Terry, Executive Director, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach. “We are
committed to ensure the parade continues every year to thank all veterans for their service.”
This year’s theme ‘Saluting our World War II Veterans’ honors those who are with us today and for
veterans in memoriam. Grand Marshal is Dick Higgins, U.S. Navy, Pearl Harbor survivor. He served
as a Navy radio operator at Pearl Harbor during World War II. When Japanese planes flew over his
barracks he jumped out of his bunk and was sent through the smoke and gunfire to clear debris and get
the Navy planes flyable. The Bulletin article by Kyle Spurr – December 7, 2016, Bends’ Pearl Harbor
survivors mark a solemn Anniversay – 75 years later, surprise attack remains a vivid memory. Today
at 97yrs. old, Dick Higgins is loved and honored as a member of Bend Chapter Band of Brothers and as
our town’s living Pearl Harbor survivor.
Bend Parade of Flags founded by Bend Heroes Foundation will display 250 American flags throughout
downtown Bend and on Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Civil Air Patrol High Desert Squadron flyover kicks off the parade promptly at 11 a.m. The “Rolling
Thunder” made up of Oregon Veterans Motorcycles Association and the Patriot Guard will lead the
procession of floats, Oregon Army National Guard military vehicles, school bands and businesses paying tribute to those who serve our country. ADA parking is designated in the City Hall parking lot on Wall Street and an ADA roped off seating area at corner of Franklin and Wall Street. Parade route begins on NW Newport at Veterans Memorial Bridge – south on Wall Street – west on Franklin – along NW Riverside Drive – turning onto NW Galveston and end at NW Harmon Blvd.
Veterans of Foreign Post 1603 will host an Open House immediately following the parade. The public
is invited. Refreshments will be served. 1503 NE 4 th Street, Bend. Contact: Bob Cusick, Commander:
541.389.0775