Original Guard members anticipate Memorial Day flyover

Fred Hill, left, and Fred Parish are the last two still residing in Union County of the original Oregon National Guard formed in April 1941. ALISHA HAMEL / The Observer

Among the eyes skyward in Union County on Memorial Day for the planned flyover by the Air National Guard will be those of Fred Parish and Fred Hill, the last two still residing in Union County of the original Oregon National Guard formed in April 1941.

According to Hill of La Grande, he and Parish of Cove are among the six “remaining members of that first organization” and the only ones now living in the county.

Hill said he served as a photo lab technician and Parish as a medic in World War II.

If it occurs, the flyover will be the first ever for the annual Avenue of Flags ceremony at Grandview Cemetery in La Grande on Memorial Day.

One or two F-15 Eagle fighter jets are scheduled to fly over at noon, coinciding with the playing of Taps and the raising of the flag. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m.

The jet or jets will be from the 173rd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard base in Klamath Falls.

The flyover is set, weather and other circumstances permitting, for Baker City that day also.