Corvallis American Legion Post #91 and the Ladies Auxiliary will host the 92nd annual Corvallis Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. Monday, May 28, 2012. This year the parade theme is “Welcome Home Veterans.” The Parade Grand Marshals are all “Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.” Post #91 and its auxiliary wants to thank all Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans for their service to the community, state, and nation.
This year Post 91 is asking all parade participants to pre register at www.corvallispost91.com. On Memorial Day participants can pick up their parade numbers at 8 a.m. at the registration booth by the intersection of 2nd and Market Street, watch for the signs. Registration will close at 9 a.m., so judging can take place before the parade.
Events start off early on Memorial Day with Corvallis Community Event Center’s breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the Corvallis High School Lunchroom located off the Eastside highway.
At noon the Corvallis American Legion Post #91 will conduct a memorial service at the Corvallis Cemetery. After the memorial service a wreath ceremony will take place at the Woodside Cutoff Bridge.
The Corvallis Community Festival will begin after the parade at the north end of Main Street. The festival consists of a carnival, and food booths.
The Wild Mare is hosting a “Give Back” Barbecue from noon to 3 p.m. All proceeds from this event go to the Wounded Warriors Project. The Wild Mare is located at the corner of Market and 2nd Street in Corvallis.
Anyone who has a business, club, musical or dance act, organization or vehicle that they want to promote and will benefit the parade, is welcome to participate. For more information contact Ike Slaughter at 777-1339.
For 92 years the Bitter Root Valley has enjoyed this rich tradition of honoring those active duty personnel and veterans who have died. Today, Memorial Day honors all of the United States of America‘s war dead — those who died that freedom might live.
World War I veterans started the Corvallis Memorial Day parade after they returned from Europe. The first parade consisted of a color guard and veterans, staging in the alley to the west of Main Street. 92 years ago this small contingent of veterans conducted the first Corvallis Memorial Day Parade down Main Street.
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. The holiday was first proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan and was observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. Until World War I many people in the South refused to acknowledge Decoration Day. Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday in May.
For more information contact Doug Mason, (406) 546-4244; or visit http://www.corvallispost91.com.