Each year on November 11th, our country celebrates Veterans Day with flags, parades, patriotic music, and serious moments of silence. It’s a day to honor all of our American veterans and to honor the men and women who have served and protected us throughout the years. While you’re enjoying your stay, whether you are hiking the Cascades or just lounging out on your deck enjoying their view, you can celebrate Veterans Day in Bend Oregon too.
Book Our Bend Oregon Rentals Below
Bedrooms |
Baths |
Guests
Veterans Day Bend Oregon Celebrations
What began in 1926 as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace” soon became a celebration of all veterans. Many people confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day, but there’s a difference. Memorial Day (in May) honors military personnel who have died while serving our country, and Veterans Day honors all of our country’s veterans, living or dead. And then there’s Armed Forces Day (also in May) which celebrates military personnel serving now.
Depending on current pandemic restrictions, (and who knows what will be happening), Bend may or may not have a Veterans Day parade. If they do, gather up your group (dressed in red, white and blue of course), and head downtown for the parade. If there’s not a parade, don’t despair, you can still enjoy a parade and Veterans Day celebration in the comfort of your Bend vacation rental. Grab some snacks and maybe a few little American flags and get settled in front of that big flat screen TV in your generous living area. You can live stream the celebrations at Arlington National Cemetery, starting at 11am when the wreath is laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After the ceremony, you can watch a Bend parade from years past, or other celebrations from the nation’s capital.
Other Ways to Honor Our Veterans
Wear red, white and blue. It’s easy enough. If you decide to skip the more formal celebrations, and do your own thing, that’s great. Spend the day hiking along the Deschutes River Trail or hike to Tumalo Falls for sparkling waterfalls and amazing scenic views. Pack a picnic, and maybe have your own parade along the trail. Just remember to wear red, white and blue and be sure to stop for two minutes of silence at 2:11 pm EST (the Veterans Day Moment of Silence) to honor our veterans. It’s easy to honor their sacrifices for all we have when you’re looking out at the splendor of the Cascade Mountains.
Wear a remembrance poppy. Since 1922 the bright red poppy has been a national symbol of remembrance to commemorate the men and women killed in conflict. If you don’t have a poppy, there are plenty of online videos you can watch to make your own. It’s a great activity for the kids too, and you can teach them about the holiday while they make poppies and flags. And while the kids are making poppies, have them make a few thank you cards for the local Bend veterans.
If there is a living veteran in your life, give them a call, or set up a video chat with your entire family for them. Be sure to send them a thank you card and maybe a gift card to their favorite lunch spot. Tell them how much you appreciate them and their sacrifice. Better yet, bring them along on your vacation to Bend!
If you don’t personally know any living veterans, that’s ok. There are several local veterans’ organizations in Bend, and any one of them will have a list of veterans who would love a visit or a lunch out on the town. If you don’t have the time to personally take a veteran out to lunch, why not send lunch to the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) or one of the area American Legion Posts? Call ahead to arrange everything, then grill some mouthwatering ribs or burgers out on the deck as you enjoy the scenery. Your rental comes with a fully equipped kitchen so making lunch for a group of hungry vets will be a breeze. Or, take it easy and have a delicious BBQ lunch from South Yo Mouth or Baldy’s Barbeque delivered to the post. Be sure to order some for yourself too!
Veterans Day Vacation Rentals in Bend
Whether you choose to celebrate the holiday out hiking or exploring the lava caves or Big Obsidian Flow at the Newberry National Monument, or watching the celebrations in our nation’s capital from the comfort of your rental, we have the perfect vacation rental for your Veterans Day stay here in Bend.
Choose a cozy cabin nestled in the trees or a modern condo near a trail head. Choose a more secluded spot where you can’t see the neighbors and the kids and dog can romp in the big backyard, or choose to be close to downtown Bend and great dining spots, brew pubs and shops. Can’t decide? Or maybe you’d like more Veterans Day celebration ideas? Just give us a call!