KPIC's complete Veteran's Day coverage
By KPIC News & KPIC.com StaffROSEBURG, Ore. -- A huge crowd turned out for the downtown Roseburg Veteran's Day Parade Wednesday morning. Soldiers carrying the colors opened the parade with 70 or more entries behind them, as thousands lined the streets to honor Veterans on this national holiday. This year's Grand Marshals were Blue Star families, the family members of those serving in the military. Marching bands from Roseburg High School and Marshfield High in Coos Bay marched in the parade again this year. Veterans groups like the Umpqua Valley chapter of the Vietnam Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and several others all participated. Lots of fire trucks were in the parade, including the brand new Roseburg platform ladder truck, followed closely by the Riddle Fire Department's platform ladder truck.Several other departments were also there with some of the older fire trucks. Veterans groups rode motorcycles through the parade as they do every year, including county commissioner Joe Laurance, a Veteran himself.
This year's parade lasted about an hour and the jet flyover didn't happen because of the bad weather, but organizers were pleased with the big turnout, and the weather held off through the entire parade. Meanwhile, other Veteran's Day celebrations were going on in Canyonville at the war memorial outside of city hall.
A special recognition was made for Zane Becker, who was a P.O.W. during World War II, and was forced to work in a Japanese steel mill. "We first went to China for a little over a year, and then they shipped us over to Japan, and I was in three different camps over there until the war ended. We were lucky most of us made it." Local tribal members performed an honor song for the the ceremony, and after things wrapped up the American Legion post from Tri City made their way to the Forest Glen Retirement Center. After performing a color guard ceremony, the group honored 19 Veterans who live at the retirement community. Service Officer Richard Garnsey says it's always important to honor people who serve, but never to forget those who have been lost, including two of his friends. "They were shot down over Cambodia. There were nine crew members on board. They only found seven remains, but they they never found Malkovich and Creswell. So, they are MIA's, considered, we know now that they are probably gone, but I think about them." Speakers talked about what it means to serve and the appreciation they have for all who have made the call to defend America. Veterans also got a free breakfast Wednesday morning at the Riverview Terrace retirement home in Roseburg. They offered a pancake breakfast and Veterans ate for free. Several came in Monday morning to take part in the event, including some state legislators and county officials. Many of the residents of the center are also Veterans and some are wives of Veterans. They all ate for free, as the Riverview Terrace honored the men and women that served our country. Some Glide High School students got the opportunity on Tuesday to talk personally with Veterans the day before all the big events. Did you capture some great photos or video of the Veteran's Day events? If so, become a YouNews Reporter and share them with us. |
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Sheriff John Hanlin even joined in, leading the Sheriff's Mounted Posse through the parade.
Several guest speakers were on hand, including commissioner Susan Morgan and some local Veterans.
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