BEND, OR -- Deschutes County unveils new welcome signs honoring veterans and first responders ahead of Veterans Day on Friday. Advocate Dick Tobiason says the signs honor the 15,000 vets and 1,000 first responders that call Deschutes County home. 

Tobiason tells KBND News, "Our first responders, especially law enforcement types, are coming under attack by a lot of uneducated folks who don't respect first responders. I though that now is a good time to show the community's respect for first responders, as well as veterans."

Eight signs are placed at the county line along Highways 97, 20, 31 and 242, as well as on the Powell Butte and Cascade Lakes Highways. "They now say 'Welcome to Deschutes County: We Honor Veterans and First Responders,'" says Tobiason. Signs are currently covered by plastic until Thursday's officials ceremony. "We're going to unveil a spare sign at the County Commissioners building at 8:30 on Thursday, the day before Veterans Day. So, it's just in time for Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary of Deschutes County."

That ceremony takes place at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at 1300 Wall Street in Bend. The public is invited.