This Memorial Day, communities across Central Oregon, including Bend, Redmond, Prineville, and Sisters, came together to honor the military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom. Known historically as Decoration Day, this observance serves as a solemn reminder of the bravery and dedication of those who gave their lives in service to the United States.

Bend’s Tribute to Fallen Heroes

In Bend, the Bend Heroes Foundation, along with volunteers, displayed 250 flags at Bend Heroes Memorial in Brooks Park, Veterans Memorial Bridge, and throughout downtown. Each flag bore the name of a veteran, a veterans group, or Boy Scout Troop 25, who have been volunteering for 21 years to display flags on Memorial Day and Independence Day. Scoutmaster Travis Farstvedt led the troop in a brief ceremony at 7 a.m., where the President’s Memorial Day proclamation was read before the flags were installed.

Redmond Honors with Flag Displays

Redmond’s Terrebonne Pioneer Cemetery was lined with flags to honor fallen service members, including Medal of Honor recipient Robert “Bob” Dale Maxwell. A ceremony took place from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., followed by another at Redmond Memorial Gardens from 11 a.m. to noon. The community has consistently participated in placing major flag displays on every patriotic holiday since 1991.

Prineville’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony

Prineville hosted a parade from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., starting at 4th and Main Street and ending at Ochoco Creek Park’s Memorial Park area, which features POW/MIA and Hot Shots monuments. Following the parade, attendees participated in a wreath ceremony at the Elm Street Bridge, where representatives from the Prineville VFW Auxiliary and American Legion dropped all-natural memorial wreaths into Ochoco Creek in honor of U.S. military veterans who died at sea.

Sisters’ Observance and Keynote Address

In Sisters, observances took place at Sisters Village Green Park at 11 a.m., featuring a keynote address by Brigadier General Jim Cunningham, a retired captain for United Airlines and a member of the Central Oregon Veterans Outreach Program. Cunningham, who served as the Commander of Oregon National Guard and gained combat experience during the Vietnam War, delivered a poignant speech. The event was sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars post 8138, American Legion post 86, and Band of Brothers-Sisters, and concluded with a community lunch.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.