Veterans Day 2024: Southern California honors those who served
On this Veterans Day, Southern California honored all of those who served with special tributes throughout the day.
One of the biggest events is the San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade in which former U.S. Army Spc. Edward Landin, who served from 1971-73, will be the grand marshal.
West Hollywood's Veterans Day ceremony had a special focus on LGBTQ veterans. The 11 a.m. ceremony was held at the Sal Guarriello Veterans Memorial at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Holloway Drive.
Veterans and active military members received free meals and ride tickets to Pacific Park at the Veterans Day ceremony on the Santa Monica Pier, which included a military flyover with Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters and a demonstration by the United States Military Academy at West Point Drill Team.
The ceremony ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Forest Lawn's 65th annual Veterans Day Celebration began at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills and included a flyover, patriotic music, an invocation and benediction, a color guard, a wreath laying and family friendly activities.
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The Queen Mary in Long Beach had an exclusive free celebration for veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The celebration included the opportunity to write letters to active-duty military personnel, arts and crafts making and veterans sharing inspiring stories.
Attendees were given the opportunity to take free self-guided tours of the ship's exhibits. Entertainment included a tribute to The Andrews Sisters.
Also in Long Beach, a Veterans Day event was held at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and included food, vendors, a car show and music.
Azusa, Alhambra, Baldwin Park, Carson, Cerritos, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Palmdale and Santa Clarita were among the other Los Angeles County cities that held Veterans Day ceremonies.
The Rams' Salute to Service matchup against the Miami Dolphins at SoFi Stadium will include a pregame performance by the United States Military Academy at West Point Drill Team, quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly hosting 20 Navy SEALs and their guests in the team's Row of Honor, a military enlistment ceremony and six military representatives, one from each branch, will be the honorary Rampede captain.
Fans 21 and over can create care packages for active military members from 3 p.m. until kickoff at the Lower American Airlines Plaza.
Murrieta's annual parade
The city of Murrieta's 22nd annual "Veterans Day Parade" kicked off at 10 a.m.
The event rolled through the historic downtown area along Washington to Town Square Park, where the "Field of Honor'' will be on display at Adams Avenue and Kalmia Street.
High school marching bands participated in the event, along with veterans groups, personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy, law enforcement and firefighters, Mayor Lori Stone and others from the city and Riverside County.
Ceremonies concluded at the Field of Honor, which is sponsored by the Murrieta Rotary Club.
The site is established every November as a memorial to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Services, and a salute to those who have completed their service or remain on active duty.
The tribute is in its 16th year, and hundreds of 3-by-5-foot American flags will be on display until the end of the week, thanks to donations to the Rotary.
"We can take extra pride in the service of others to our nation and our community,'' Rotary Club President Jim Yanoschik said.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
