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Retired lieutenant colonel outlines creation of National Medal of Honor Highway with Bend ties
Summary
A retired lieutenant colonel told council about the National Medal of Honor Highway project, tracing its start in Bend eight years ago and the city’s connection to Medal of Honor recipient Bob Maxwell.
Lieutenant Colonel Tobias (retired) briefed the Bend City Council on Sept. 9 about the National Medal of Honor Highway, a coast‑to‑coast designation Congress and the president signed into law Dec. 17, 2024.
Tobias described how the project began in Bend about eight years ago and highlighted local Medal of Honor recipient Robert “Bob” Maxwell, who lived in Bend for roughly 50 years. Tobias said Maxwell inspired the work and that Bend had taken steps to honor him, including a city proclamation, a legislative resolution and a city‑declared Bob Maxwell Day. “This whole story is about keeping a promise to somebody,” Tobias said.
Tobias explained the multi‑phase effort — state highway namings across numerous states, installation and funding of signage and then a national bill to create a continuous National Medal of Honor Highway — and said organizers placed 106 signs across the country. He said the federal act was bipartisan and had wide veterans‑group support before becoming law and that he plans a dedication ride through Bend during the nation’s 250th anniversary events in June 2026.
Council members thanked Tobias and joined him for a short photo opportunity at the dais. No council action or funding decision was requested at the meeting.
