Here’s how veterans were honored with ceremonies around LA County

From the mountains to the coast, Los Angeles County residents paused to salute men and women’s who’ve served their nation during Tuesday’s Veterans Day observances.

The San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade was the largest Veterans Day event for veterans in the county, according to the parade’s organizers, attracting about 20,000 residents who “pay tribute to the men and women who serve or have served.”

Approximately 2,000 veterans from the WWII era, the Korean War era, the Vietnam War era, the Desert Storm era and Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom participated in the parade.

“Veterans Day is a day set aside to honor veterans for their services and sacrifices they and their families have made,” the organizers said.

The parade began at 11:11 am, representing the time on November 11, 1918, when World War I ended. The parade route began in Missions Hills at Laurel Canyon and San Fernando Mission boulevards, then went south to Paxton Street in Pacoima. The parade’s theme was “Honoring those who served past and present.”

The grand marshals were former U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Martin Lopez, who served from 1992-2010, and former U.S. Army Pvt. Gregory Garcia, who served from 1948-52. The honorary grand marshals were former U.S. Army Pfc. Ronald J. Puga, who served from 1972-74, and former U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Elliott McKenzie, who served from 2003-07.

In Whittier, at the city’s Central Park, a presentation of the colors by local Scouts was the interlude to a performance by The Hollywood Dolls — patriotic music and dance in a kind of Andrews Sisters-style presentation.

Local leaders and officials praised veterans, amid a picnic vibe in the park in a celebration organized by the city of Whittier’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, with support from the Whittier Public Library’s Veterans Resource Center and Whittier’s local veteran volunteers.

In Pasadena, in front of its vintage City Hall, the community paid tribute to past city resident and Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Colonel Raymond G. Harvey.

The Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, is awarded for valor in action against an enemy force.

Harvey ranks among the most highly decorated soldiers in United States Army history. He was a Chickasaw Indian — and Pasadena resident — when he entered military service in 1939. And he would return to Pasadena after his service in World War II and Korea.

According to the city, during World War II, Harvey served with the 79th Infantry Division and was in that division’s campaigns in northern France and Germany.

His Medal of Honor was for his heroism in Korea, where as a captain he led Company C of the 7th Infantry Division.  He also earned the Distinguished Service Cross, three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for his valor in World War II and Korea.

The city also honored the 2D Battalion 23D Marine Corps Regiment, which recently returned from overseas deployment. Adopted by Pasadena in 2013, the regiment was be honored during a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony.

Eileen Moore, a decorated combat nurse who served in Vietnam with the Army Nurse Corps as is an associate justice on the California Court of Appeal, gave the keynote address.

There were complimentary hot dogs served by Pasadena Fire Fighters Local 809. Activities and exhibits curated by Martin Severance Chapter, NSDAR. Informational booths from the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, American Legion Posts 13 & 280, and the Rose Bowl Stadium.

And in the sky was a special flyover by the Condor Squadron.

In Covina, the Field of Valor, with its 2,001 flag display opened on Nov. 9 and will remain open through Saturday, Nov. 15.

Covina Police Chief Ric Walczak was set to lead a Veterans Day ceremony at Sierra Vista Middle School. Proceeds from the flag display helps local veterans, families of deployed military and the Ontario USO. Volunteers at the event included members from the Covina Rotary Club, West Covina Kiwanis, SGV Conservation Corps, and Daughters of the American Revolution. Other volunteers came from Merry Maids of Covina, Covina Valley School District and Suburban Water Company.

The city of Baldwin Park staged its 34th annual ceremony at the Cesar E. Chavez Amphitheater at Morgan Park. The ceremony honored veterans, with live entertainment and free refreshments.

“Our annual Veterans Day Ceremony is one of the City’s most meaningful traditions, a time to come together and thank the brave individuals from every branch of the United States military who have selflessly served our country,” said Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila in a written statement in a release ahead of the ceremony. “It’s also a moment to reflect as a community, to honor those who protect our freedoms and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.”

On the coast, Long Beach’s Queen Mary once again hosted a day filled with live music, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities to honor veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families.

Veterans and their guests enjoyed free admission aboard the legendary ship on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and special programming and activities designed to commemorate and celebrate their service — including meet-and-greets with the ship’s captain and officers.

Navy veteran Dr. Leo Rodriguez, an emergency physician, spoke at the Hermosa Beach Veterans Memorial, along with Hermosa Beach Mayor Rob Saemann and Councilmember Raymond Jackson, a retired U.S. Army colonel.

“Thank you for proving that America’s greatest strength,” Jackson said, “has always been and will always be her people united in service and bound by love of country.”

Veterans Day, Rodriguez said, is “not about war; it’s about people.”

“Service and sacrifice doesn’t just come on the battlefield; it comes stateside, it comes overseas, abroad.” Rodriguez said. “Veterans all write that blank check. That blank check that means, no matter when, no matter where you’re called, that you’re going to step up and you’re going to fulfill that request, that duty, that responsibility.”

The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band performed at the ceremony, which also included the presentation of colors by the Redondo Union High School MCJROTC.

The event concluded with the “Veterans Are Timeless” campaign exhibit at the Hermosa Beach Museum, which spotlights local veterans with photos and stories.

To submit a veteran with Hermosa Beach ties for recognition, visit hermosabeach.gov/veterans.

The “Veterans Are Timeless” exhibit will conclude at the end of November.

Veterans were honored with a free breakfast  at the Ken Dyda Civic Center in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Veterans also enjoyed music from the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band, and remarks from Boy Scout Troop 783, Dan Smee from the Wounded Warrior Project and city officials.

Rancho Palos Verdes Councilmember Paul Seo, a United States Army veteran, said “veterans embody the best of who we are.”

“They come from every walk of life, yet in service, they are bound together by shared commitment to one another, to their mission and to our country,” Seo said at the ceremony. “That unity forged in the most challenging of circumstances stands as a powerful example to all of us at a time when our nation often feels divided, we would do well to look to our veterans for guidance. They show us that unity is not the absence of difference, but the presence of purpose.”

In Simi Valley, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library hosted its annual event, a day of activities that included a civil war encampment, a military vehicle display, and a program honoring all branches of military.

Two musical ensembles entertained the crowd, including the Note 4 Notes Chamber Ensemble and Project: Peace by Piece, a non-profit organization that uses music to inspire youth and community members. Ken Hanuker, Ronald Reagan Marine Corps League Detachment #597 Honor Guard member, said, “We are always honored to present our colors and  represent our country.”

Melissa Giller, chief marketing officer for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute said, “President Reagan had a profound respect for our military and a deep appreciation for the sacrifices of our veterans. Our annual Veterans Day Commemoration at the Reagan Library is one way we can honor their service.”

The event included a reenactment of raising the flag on Iwo Jima in 1945, an honor guard ceremony, and a keynote address by retired Army Sergeant Eric Donoho. Giller said that after the public events, the foundation hosted a program “specifically for veterans and their families, to help ensure they have the support and community they deserve after returning to civilian life. The Reagan Foundation is honored to continue President Reagan’s legacy by supporting veterans and their families, ensuring their service is never forgotten.”

Forest Lawn’s 66th annual Veterans Day Celebration at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills included a flyover by the Condon Squadron, patriotic music, an invocation and benediction, a color guard, a wreath laying and family friendly activities.

Capt. LaStacia Neat, aide to the commanding general of the California State Guard  delivered the keynote speech. L.A. Councilman John Lee also spoke.

Staff writers Jill Stewart, Ryan Carter, Michael Hixon, Holly Andres, Chris Haire and City News Service contributed to this report