Dear Friends, On November 11, 2011 at 11 AM, Josie and I will join other veterans and friends of veterans in the Redmond Veterans Day parade. Veterans Day is an official holiday to honor all the men and women who have served and are serving our country. I hope any time you meet a veteran you will thank them for their service. However, this is a special day that all Americans can turn out for events to honor those who have defended our freedoms and protected our great nation. I ask you especially to reach out to our WW II veterans on this day. Each day we are losing many of these veterans which are called the “greatest generation.” However, today we remain a very special country with very brave and patriotic young men and women answering the call to serve in the “war on terrorism.” I am very proud of the honor and appreciation that Americans are now expressing toward the men and women who serve and have served. I also ask you to help our veterans in need through the various veterans’ organizations. They do a great job but need our support. Also, if you have the opportunity; hire a veteran. Please enjoy this great American patriotic day at one of the following local events: Bend: Parade: Nov. 11 - 11 a.m. – The 12th Annual Veterans Day Parade’s theme: “Veterans Are Our Heroes for Life!” Parade Grand Marshals: Robert D. Maxwell, Medal of Honor recipient, and VFW Ponderosa Pine Post 1643 members. Civil Air Patrol will kick-off parade. Procession begins on N.W. Newport Ave. and will march over Veterans Memorial Bridge, south on N.W. Wall, N.W. Franklin, around Drake Park on N.W. Riverside, concluding on N.W. Galveston and Harmon St. Open House: Nov. 11- 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Open House at VFW Post 1643 located at 1503 N.E. 4th St. the public is invited to meet military service members and veterans; the public is invited and refreshments will be served. Annual Walk/Run: Saturday, Nov. 12 - 9 a.m. – 12th Annual Marine Corps Birthday 5K Run/1 Mile Walk. Sign-up for the 5K/1 Mile Walk next to City Hall, 710 N.W. Wall St. The run and walk will finish in Drake Park. Prizes, refreshments and raffle prizes will be awarded after the run. This charitable event is to raise money to purchase a new passenger van to transport Disabled American Veterans daily to the VA Hospital in Portland. Register online: www.vetsdayrun.homestead.com. Barbecue for Vets: Nov. 11- Noon to 3 p.m.; includes hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, beans and more; suggested donation is $5 per person; proceeds go to Outward Bound for Veterans, which provides challenging learning expeditions for returning service members; Stone Lodge retirement community, 1460 N.E. 27th St., Bend; RSVP at 541-318-0450
La Pine: Ceremony & Open House: Nov. 11 - 11 a.m. – A ceremony is at the Community Cemetery. Afterwards, American Legion Post 45, 52532 Drafter Rd., will host an open house with hamburgers and hot dogs. Prineville: Crook County Veterans Day Parade: Nov 11- 11:00am- The Parade begins behind the police department and continues to Ochoco Creek Park; followed by a ceremony and lunch. Redmond: Veterans Day Parade: Nov. 11 - 11 a.m. will honor its Grand Marshals: World War II veterans, marking the 70th anniversary of the start of that war. Chili Feed: Nov. 11- Noon-2:00pm: Open to veterans and families at the VFW Deschutes Post 4108, 1836 S.W. Veterans Way, following the parade. Museum: Thursday-Saturday- Noon-4:00pm: at the Redmond Museum 529 S.W. Seventh St., Redmond, OR 97756. There will be a display featuring service uniforms at the Museum. Veterans admitted free. Sisters: Veterans Chapel & Lunch: Thursday, Nov 10- 1:00pm. All veterans and their families are invited to Sisters Christian Academy’s annual Veterans Chapel at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 10 in the Mountain View room at Sisters Community Church. Veterans are also invited to come for lunch at noon in the same location, hosted by SCA’s middle school. Please RSVP for the lunch by calling 541-549-4133 x216. Sisters Middle School Veterans Assembly: Thursday, Nov 10- 2:00pm. Sisters Middle School will hold the annual Veterans Day assembly on Thursday, November 10 at 2 p.m. in the middle school cafetorium. Veterans and community members are invited to attend. Visitors, please check in at the front office. 541-549-2099. Sisters High School Celebrates Veterans: Thursday, Nov 10- 10:30am, or 7:00pm. All are invited to celebrate our veterans on Thursday, November 10 at Sisters High School at the 13th annual celebration. There will be two ceremonies; one at 10:30 a.m. and one at 7 p.m. There will also be a breakfast for veterans and their families in the lecture/drama room at 9 a.m. For more information call 541-639-5553. Veterans Celebration at Sisters Coffee Company: Friday, Nov 11- 2:30-6:00pm. Veterans will be honored at a free live music concert at Sisters Coffee Company on Friday, November 11 from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Come enjoy performances by The Selfless Riot, Travis Ehrenstrom, Shane Simonsen, Jim Cornelius, and The Forefathers. For more information call 541-549-0527. Respectfully submitted, Gene Whisnant Colonel, USAF, Retired | 
