ALBANY - "Generations of Valor" is the theme of this year's Veterans Day activities, selected as a way to honor all veterans who have served their country.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Pacific Boulevard overpass. The route continues onto Lyon Street, turns left on Second Avenue to Ferry Street, then left on Fourth Avenue, ending at the courthouse, 300 Third Ave. S.W.

World War II Navy veteran Garner Pool of Albany and former POW Mike Ryan of Lebanon will be the grand marshals of the annual parade, touted as the largest Veterans Day event west of the Mississippi River.

Ryan, a World War II Army veteran, was held in Japanese prison camps for three years.

Also participating in the parade that starts at 11 a.m. are floats, motorcycle clubs, the Northwest Civil War Council re-enactors, members of the Oregon National Guard, drill teams and marching bands.

Following the parade at 2 p.m., parade winners will be announced during a 20-minute ceremony on the Linn County Courthouse steps.

Before the parade, breakfast will be served in Albany and Lebanon.

In Albany, the Optimist Club will offer pancakes, eggs, ham and coffee from 6 to 9:30 a.m. at the West Albany High School cafeteria. The cost is $6 for adults, and $4 for those in uniform and for children under 12. Proceeds will support youth community projects.

The American Legion Santiam Post 51 in Lebanon will serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 480 Main St. The cost is $4 for ham, eggs, biscuits and gravy, hash browns and french toast.

To formally mark what the day stands for, everyone is invited to the Linn County Veterans Memorial at Timber-Linn Memorial Park in Albany for a service that runs for an hour, starting at 8 a.m.

The ceremony will conclude with the Guard's gun salute and "Taps" by Peter Butler of Post 51.

The Veterans Commemoration Association is in charge of this year's parade. Information: www.cityofalbany.net or 981-2390.