Caption: Marine Jim Vause salutes the viewing stand while riding on the Linn-Benton Republican float.
Photo by Mark Ylen, courtesy of Democrat-Herald
On Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, 2015, Benton County Republicans and Linn County Republicans paid tribute to all U.S. Veterans with their joint float entry in the 64th Annual Veterans Day Parade in Albany, Oregon. The parade was organized by the Veterans Commemoration Association and they did a spectacular job again this year! The parade theme was Veterans: "STARS Unlimited - STRIPES United." Benton County Republican Women made 1400 Veterans Day parade theme buttons to pass out to Veterans and children. Parade watchers turned out in huge numbers to show their respect for America's veterans. Early morning decorators from both Linn and Benton Republicans did a fantastic job readying the float for the parade start at 11:00 a.m.. Pulling the float was Louanna Oliver. Riding the float and waving U.S. Flags (veterans shown with branch in which they served) were John Detweiler (U.S. Navy), Charles Nelson (U.S. Air Force), Jean Nelson, Kim Rowe, PJ Hunter, Garland Hunter (U.S. Marine Corps), Mary Grimes and Jim Vause, Sr. (U.S. Marine Corps). Walking with the float and passing out buttons were Michael Wynhausen (Chair, Linn County Republicans) and Stella Guenther. See large collection of 2015 parade photos at the Democrat-Herald. S. Thomas Lewis posted videos of the parade on YouTube: 1 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 (Republican float first 16 seconds) | 4 of 4.
