Republican Float in Albany's 2017 Veterans Day Parade

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On Saturday, November 11, 2017, Benton and Linn County Republicans participated in Albany's Veterans Day Parade with a float entry and lots of enthusiasm to show our veterans how much their service to this great country means. The Veterans Commemoration Associations' parade theme for 2017 was "Honoring Our Women Veterans, It's Time We Honor Them All."

Many hands helped decorate. Then folks rode or walked with the float and truck. Participants from Benton County Republicans were Louanna Oliver, who expertly pulled the float with the assistance of her son, Bobby; Chair Betsy Close, Stella Guenther, John Detweiler, Garland & PJ Hunter, Arden Ray, Jean & Charles Nelson, and Kristie Hernandez with daughter Izzy and friends Laell, Cheyenne and Alondra; and from Linn County Republicans were Michael Wynhausen, Dale Hummel (photographer), Joe Bullard, Jim Vause, Sr., Mary Grimes and Alma Lee. Jerell from Lane County also joined us with a large Trump flag. All showered veterans with love and enthusiastic shouts of appreciation, while the most energetic passed out buttons to veterans and candy to children and parade goers along the route. The float was this years' 2nd Place winner. Alondra shows off the trophy in a photo. Zumi (dog) rode along too.

From S. Thomas Lewis
This is the link to the Veterans Day Parade at the Republican Float: https://youtu.be/QCIC6nPLDfg?t=57m21s Read More......

2015 Veterans Day Parade, Albany, Oregon

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. Read More......

2013 Veterans Day Parade, Linn & Benton GOP Float

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The Linn and Benton County Republicans participated in the Albany Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11th to show their appreciation and respect for the Veterans who have served our country so honorably. Republican Primary candidates joining us in this tribute were Rep. Andy Olson for reelection to Oregon House District 15, Mark Callahan for U.S. Senate, State Representative Jason Conger for U.S. Senate and Dr. Monica Wehby for U.S. Senate. Rep. Olson graciously volunteered his beautiful red truck and a driver to pull the Republican float. Those walking the parade route passed out candy to children and patriotic buttons to veterans. The buttons were made and contributed by the Benton County Republican Women. Float riders displayed alternating messages, "We love you Vets" and "Thank You" to the veterans with flip cards. We offer our gratitude to the Veterans Commemoration Association for this wonderful event and, most importantly, we offer our thanks to the Veterans.

Participating Republicans from Benton County were Chair Jerry Jackson, John Detweiler, Charles and Jean Nelson, Ken McCracken and Kim Rowe, Stella Guenther, Kristie Hernandez with daughter Alexia, and Garland and PJ Hunter. Participating Republicans from Linn County were Chair Michael Wyhausen, Julie Hetterle with sister Mindi and Mary Grimes. Thank you all! Read More......

2011 GOP Float for Albany's Veterans Day Parade

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The Linn and Benton County Republicans came together again this year to honor our Veterans in Albany's Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11th. Walking with the float and passing out military tribute buttons made by the Benton County Republican Women were Stella Guenther (Benton County), State Representative Andy Olson and Christine Ruck, 2012 candidate for Linn County Commissioner, Deborah Barrett, Jim Vause, and Linn County Republican Chair, Jo Rae Perkins' granddaughters. Riding the float were John and Myrna Bell, John Detweiler, Rex Watkins, Charles & Jean Nelson and PJ Hunter of Benton County and Mary Grimes of Linn County. Kayla Roush, Miss Oregon TEEN USA, was also aboard to pay tribute to the Veterans. Bob Bartcher pulled the float with Garland Hunter riding along. Veteran, Dr. Jared Nelson (Flight Surgeon - Lt. Col. USAF (Retired)) and his son, Michael, followed this Republican entry. Everybody, listed above plus Sue Duncan, helped ready the float on parade day. Many thanks to all. The effort was a pleasure for the opportunity to show our respect and appreciation to our wonderful Veterans, who have served and sacrificed for us all and our great country.

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2009 Veterans Day Parade, Albany, Oregon

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The Benton and Linn County Republicans participated jointly in the November 11th “Generations of Valor” Veterans Day Parade in Albany, Oregon. The Benton County Republican Women made thousands of patriotic buttons for parade goers with new designs from April Aguirre of Warrior’s Refuge Military Card Company. Rep. Andy Olson, Christy Sullivan, Linda Bartcher and Stella Guenther passed the buttons out along the parade route. Sen. Frank Morse and John Bussell, race car driver representing Operation Homefront, walked with the float and Sid Leiken and his campaign group followed while Bob Bartcher expertly pulled the float. Riding the float were Linn County Republican Chair, Jo Rae Perkins with her son and beautiful granddaughter, Mary Grimes of the Linn County Republican Women and John Bussell’s lovely wife and family, (unidentified) with her darling infant daughter (our youngest rider yet), Ed Cohn, John Detweiler and PJ Hunter of Benton County. We wish to thank the Veterans Commemorative Association for putting on a fantastic parade and offer our gratitude to the City of Albany for hosting it. And finally, with our deepest appreciation, we thank our veterans who have served our country and protected our freedoms so well. God bless you all. Read More......