Visitors walk past a F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter on display during the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s annual Veterans Day event on Friday, November 10, 2023 in Simi Valley, CA. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day and commemorated the end of fighting in 1918 on the Western Front in Europe between the Allies and Germany.
The Armistice of Compiègne was signed earlier in the morning but many people remember from a history lesson that “at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month” the armistice went into effect and, more or less, ended World War I.
Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans for their service.
While Veterans Day honors all who have served in the military, Memorial Day in May is the time to remember those who died during military service.
Here is a sampling of Veterans Day events.
Nov. 9
Veterans Day Ceremony and Resource Fair: The office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis co-hosts the 4th annual event for veterans and their families, and the public, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Program with speakers, 11 a.m. Eugene A. Obregón Park, 4021 E. First St., Los Angeles. Details on the flyer: tinyurl.com/khdc7afm
Veterans Day Ceremony and Field of Flags Display: The City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Veterans Memorial Coalition present the event, 10 a.m. Plaza Park, 428 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel. 626-308-2875. Flyer: www.sangabrielcity.com/1759/Veterans-Day-Ceremony
Nov. 10
United We Stand! A Veterans Day Musical Tribute: A “community choir” — with participants from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (La Crescenta Stake), Lutheran Church in the Foothills, Holy Redeemer – St. James the Less Catholic Community, and other churches in the La Crescenta area — present the concert, 7 p.m. Free admission. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4550 Raymond Ave., La Crescenta. Questions, rllj@yahoo.com. Flyer: tinyurl.com/k8a26v2x
Nov. 11
Veterans Day celebration in La Crescenta: American Legion Post 288 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 host the event that honors all veterans and active duty military, 8 a.m. The program includes a Presentation of Colors by the Crescenta Valley High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, an “Armed Forces Medley” performed by the American Legion Color Guard and an American flag retirement ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 288. Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave., La Crescenta. Dick Clubb, 818-384-5761.
Veterans Day Ceremony in Alhambra: The city and American Legion Post 139 present the event that begins with a continental breakfast and music, 10 a.m., followed by the ceremony, 11 a.m. Alhambra Park Veterans Memorial, 500 N. Palm Ave. 626-570-3242. Flyer: tinyurl.com/3x28xxsz
Pasadena Salutes Our Veterans: The city and the Pasadena Veterans Day Committee present a Veterans Day event that includes keynote speaker Col. Juan M. Mora, chief of staff, 40th Infantry Division, a “Yellow Ribbon” ceremony to honor the 2D Battalion 23D Marine Corps Regiment and a flyover by the Condor Squadron, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena. Details: www.cityofpasadena.net/event/veterans-day-celebration/
Veterans Day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: The event honoring veterans includes musical entertainment, a Civil War encampment, a display of military vehicles and a Veterans Day program, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Condor Squadron is scheduled to make a flyover at 10:30 a.m. The program, at 11 a.m., includes an honor guard, live music and remarks by keynote speaker Randy Gaddo, United States Marine Corps chief warrant officer-4 (retired). Free admission for the program and outdoor events. Register for seats at the program on the website. There is an admission charge for museum exhibits including “Eyes of Freedom,” Nov. 8-Dec. 8 (reaganlibrary.com/eyesoffreedom). Museum admission is available online (https://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/online-ticket-sales/). Location, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Event details: www.reaganfoundation.org/programs-events/events-calendar/veterans-day-commemoration-2024/
Veterans Day celebration in Burbank: The event begins with a concert by the Burbank Community Band, 10:15 a.m., followed by a ceremony honoring all veterans, 11 a.m. A flyover by the Condor Squadron has been scheduled. McCambridge Park, War Memorial, corner of Amherst Drive and San Fernando Road. 818-238-5378. Flyer: www.facebook.com/BurbankCommunityBand/. Also, City of Burbank flyer: tinyurl.com/3trazydv
Veterans Day at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills: The 65th annual celebration honors United States military veterans with a ceremony that includes a flyover by the Condor Squadron; invocation and benediction by the Rev. Msgr. Frank Hicks from St. Basil Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles; patriotic music by the Los Angeles Police Concert Band; a reading of the Veterans Day presidential proclamation by Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton; 11 a.m. The keynote speaker: U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Gilbert Cisneros. Emcee for the program is Michael Ellington, a 36-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. The event also includes family-friendly activities and light refreshments. Free admission. Location, outside of the Hall of Liberty, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. 855-800-5296. www.facebook.com/forestlawn. forestlawn.com/events/veterans-day/
Veterans Day Ceremony in Newhall: The City of Santa Clarita co-hosts the event that honors veterans and includes Veterans Day remarks by local veterans, 11 a.m. The ceremony also includes: a patriotic performance by Terrell Edwards, a U.S. Navy veteran; a special reading for prisoners of war and those who are missing in action by Jerry Rhodes; changing of the flags by Knights of Columbus, Santa Clarita Valley Assembly, and the Santa Clarita Valley Young Marines and the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 355. Veterans Historical Plaza, 24275 N. Walnut St. 661-250-3787. santaclaritaveterans.com/veterans-day-ceremony/
Veterans Day Ceremony at Rancho Tapo Community Park and Veterans Plaza: A salute to veterans, 11 a.m. Location, 3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. 805-526-6453. Details from Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District: tinyurl.com/bdhxue5a
City of West Hollywood 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony: The event honoring veterans and active military includes the Pledge of Allegiance, bugler playing of Taps, a moment of silence for those who died in service to the country, and members from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles singing the National Anthem, 11 a.m. Sal Guarriello Veterans’ Memorial, corner of Holloway Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. 323-848-6534. https://www.weho.org/Home/Components/News/News/11455/23
San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade: The 21st annual parade — Honoring Those Who Served Past and Present — begins at 11:11 a.m. Grand marshal: Edward Landin, Specialist 4, United States Army, 1971-1973. Route: Laurel Canyon and San Fernando Mission boulevards (in Mission Hills), south on Laurel Canyon to Paxton Street in Pacoima. Also, San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Weekend Carnival, 2-20 p.m. Nov. 8-10 (Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 1073 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima. (see the carnival flyer on the website). Contact Fred Flores for parade questions, 818-645-5699. www.sfvveteransdayparade.com
How to Connect/Help a Veteran
Disabled American Veterans: www.dav.org
Gary Sinise Foundation: www.garysinisefoundation.org/mission
Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans from all services and ages, and their supporters, meet from 8:30-11 a.m. every Monday of the month. Location, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds, 818-884-4013. www.wingsoverwendys.com
Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Related Articles
What’s closed for Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, in the Los Angeles area
Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, Nov. 7-14
Free event honoring veterans set for Saturday on board the USS Iowa in San Pedro
All national parks are free on Monday, Nov. 11