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......

Benton GOP Float in 2015 Philomath Frolic Grand Parade

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LIBERTY rides again! On Saturday, July 11, 2015, the Benton County Republicans participated in the Grand Parade in Philomath, Oregon during the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo. Sorry to say we didn't get photos of everyone but we had a wonderful time happily stressing "Liberty" throughout the parade and getting lots of thumbs up all along the route. Nic and Louanna Oliver pulled the float and Chairman Jerry Jackson and his nephew Stephen walked and passed out candy. Riding the float were Jean & Charles Nelson, Stella Guenther, John Detweiler, Garland & PJ Hunter with Zumi (the dog). Read More......

Benton GOP in the 2015 Fourth of July Parade, Corvallis, Oregon

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The Benton County Republicans participated in the Corvallis All-American Anyone-Can-Join, Fabulous, Fantastic 4th of July Parade. Pulling the 'Liberty' float were Nic and Louanna Oliver in their handsome truck decorated with USA flags. Kim Rowe came early to help decorate but couldn't stay to ride the float. Showing enthusiasm for this special American holiday were Jean & Charles Nelson, Stella Guenther, John Detweiler, Garland & PJ Hunter with grandson Ty Sisson and Zumi the Republican Labrador. Chairman Jerry Jackson walked with the float and passed out candy to children. Riders wished all a "Happy 4th of July" and called out "Happy Birthday, America!" Read More......

2014 Benton GOP 4th of July Parade Float

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On Independence Day 2014, the Benton County Republicans participated in the Downtown Corvallis "All-American Everyone Can Join, Fabulous, Fantastic 4th of July Parade" on the Benton GOP float featuring our fabulous, fantastic Republican Candidates! Thank you to Nic Oliver for pulling the float and Louanna Oliver for taking the shotgun seat to help. Thank you to Kim Rowe, Ken McCracken, Garland Hunter, who helped set up the float, and to Stella Guenther, PJ Hunter, John Detweiler, Susan Newby, Birdie Reetz, Danny Gonzales, Ronnie Hernandez and Charles and Jean Neslon, who also helped set up and who showed great enthusiasm riding the float, waving flags and promoting LIBERTY and our wonderful candidates! Al and Kathi Hutchinson drove the always classy Sen. Betsy Close in their very classy 1940 Ford convertible. Candidates Jacob Vandever and Jerry Jackson walked the parade route.

Candidates featured: Dr. Monica Wehby for U.S. Senate, Art Robinson for U.S. Congress (Dist. 4), Tootie Smith for U.S. Congress (Dist. 5) Dennis Richardson for Oregon Governor, Sen. Betsy Close for Oregon Senate (Dist. 8), Andy Olson for reelection to the Oregon House (Dist. 15), Jacob Vandever for Oregon House (Dist. 16), Mike Nearman for Oregon House (Dist. 23) and Jerry J. Jackson, Sr. for Benton County Commissioner.

Photos courtesy of Garland Hunter 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......

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......