Hi Alan. First of all, thank you for your service, Sir! Second, what a great question!

I’m assuming you posted on this specific page (the Depoe Bay page), because you and your wife are planning to view the F-15 Eagle flyover from there. This got me to first take a deep (and interesting) dive studying the actual flight patterns that the 142nd squadron has used the last few years and what that might mean for viewing in given locales this year, based on the schedule of flyovers that has been released. If it were any place other than Depoe Bay, I could give you a good idea of the direction from which the F-15s will be coming (as conditions permit of course). However, the Depoe Bay flyover is rather unique this year in being_last_on the 142nd’s scheduled route. The plan is for the F-15s to complete their Vancouver, WA (second to last) flyover at 11:21am and then make a 17 min. pass_southwest_across the state, straight to Depoe Bay arriving there 11:38am. Depoe Bay is the one and only coastal flyover for Oregon this year. So how will the planes pass over the Bay? Do they come from the east and head out over the ocean (like the boats…that would be cool!), or do they come from the ocean toward the Bay (also cool!)? I don’t know and the organizers tell me they don’t either; curious if you have any thoughts.

As for best place to view the flyover in Depoe Bay, I queried the organizers yesterday. If they know of any secret spots (upon the highest city ground) they are not saying. They recommend finding a spot on highway 101, either right on the bridge (where many folks gather), or downtown. You can certainly get a gorgeous view of the boats heading out to sea, and hopefully you will hear the roar of the planes and they will complete the picture perfect scene for you. Take care and G-d bless you and your family this Memorial Day. -Marc

Hi David and thanks for your good question. It really depends on what you want to see. The official ceremony, including the speakers, starts down on the harbor docks at water level across from the U.S. Coast Guard station. To get there, you can park near HWY 101 and walk down, or, you can park on one of the streets in the neighborhood down around the dock. If you like seeing the boats up close, including the Coast Guard boats as they leave the dock and really see the colors and unique beauty of that many cedar wreaths and flowers adorning the boats, then situating yourself at the dock is the way to go. Some folks prefer to see the boats and people on them as they pass under the bridge and the fleet is in formation as it goes out to sea. I have seen the ceremony this way and it’s powerful. Just park away from the bridge and walk up and maybe bring binoculars. As for your question about rain, are you joshing? This Oregon Coast event goes on rain or shine. Only a storm with dangerous swells would prevent these boats from going out. Hope this helps! Take care, and I hope you have a very meaningful Memorial Day. -Marc

Hi Sharon. I know, I would love to have one of those too! Those were available initially the week before the event at the Depoe Bay Community Center where all the volunteers make wreaths etc. in preparation for the event. I just pinged the Fleet of Flowers event organizers and they indicate that, unfortunately, there are no sweat shirts left only a few tees. What they have left will be at the SeaHag in Depoe bay. You can keep checking (for information as to whether they produce any more shirts going forward) on the Fleet of Flowers Facebook page. They are pretty responsive if you post a comment/inquiry to one of the posts there or Facebook message them from there.