Will there be a Veterans Day Parade in Albany this year?
Well, sort of.
This year, which marks the event’s 70th anniversary, the parade event will have a different look. Instead of traveling the usual route through Downtown Albany, veterans and floats will be hosted by sponsors at sites around town and spectators will view the entries after traveling to those sites.
The parade runs from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
“We wanted to do it a little later so people could do both the memorial service (see below) and the parade,” said organizer McCall Washburn.
Participants will use a map – either a hard copy or online version – to find the various locations. Maps will be available on the Albany Visitors Association’s free phone app, the Albany Explorer app, or in hard copy at the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA (3201 Pacific Blvd. SW) and other select locations, including the AVA office, at 110 Third Ave. SE.
To add some excitement, special objects will be placed at some of the stops. Find them all and be entered in a raffle for prizes. Participants can also vote for their favorite float, either online or in person.
This year’s theme is, “Every Day is Veterans Day,” based on a quote from Jim Willis, who spent many hours helping veterans, including a stint as director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. He was also a major player in the creation of the Edward C. Allworth Veterans Home in Lebanon. Willis, a U.S. Air Force veteran, died in June at the age of 78.
Other events include:
— Bells of Freedom in Sweet Home. Organized by the American Legion, this event commemorates the end of World War I with 11 peals of church bells at 11:11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11. All churches (and other organizations) with bells are encouraged to participate. “Ring the bell, let it tone five seconds, then ring it again – a total of 11 times,” said Legion Commander Dale Jenkins, who is organizing the event. For more information, contact Jenkins at (503) 867-5409.
— Albany Memorial Service: 11 a.m. to noon, Timber-Linn Memorial Park, 900 Price Road SE. Plans for the service this year include firing three 105-mm Howitzer artillery guns as an honorary salute during a flyover by military jets.
— Veterans Memorial Motorcycle Ride: The ride will start on Blue Ox Road by Timber-Linn Memorial Park directly following the memorial service. The ride will make a stop at the Mid-Willamette Valley YMCA, 3201 Pacific Blvd SW, to recognize dignitaries there before finishing at the Edward C. Allworth Veterans Home, 600 N. Fifth St., Lebanon.
— The Wall of Honor: A Tribute to Those We Lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through No. 12, at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin St. SW. The wall is sponsored by Vets Helping Vets HQ. For more information, call 541-791-4357.
— Uniforms on Display: Pay tribute to the women and men who have fought for our country by visiting downtown Albany businesses where military uniforms will be on display from Nov. 9-16, which will include 15 to 20 uniforms from various branches of the military and different campaigns.
— Albany Banner Project: The Rotary Clubs of Albany (Albany and Greater Albany) again joined forces to sponsor the Albany Heroes Banner Project, inspired by Sweet Home’s banner project, which honors servicemen and women from the community. The banners hang on poles throughout downtown Albany. This is the second year of the project in Albany. The 2-by-4-foot banners carry the service person’s image, name and branch of service.
— Flag Display: Boy Scouts from troops in Albany will place flags along streets in downtown Albany. For further information or inquiries, email [email protected].