Orange County events honor former and active military personnel on Veterans Day
Although most civic operations will cease Monday in observance of federally recognized Veterans Day, many communities in and around coastal Orange County will honor U.S. servicemen and women in special events planned for the holiday.
Members of American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291, for example, will host a daylong celebration at the organization’s headquarters — located near Newport Beach’s Veterans Memorial Park on Balboa Peninsula, at 215 15th St. — which opens to the public at 10 a.m.
The ceremony will begin with a “call to order” at 10:50 a.m., followed by remarks from two guest speakers, former U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Terry Dunne, who served in Vietnam and is a five-time Purple Heart recipient, as well as active duty Marine Col. Carlos Jackson.
From there activities will move outside, where an honor guard presentation will be followed by a ceremonial three-volley rifle salute and the playing of “Taps,” a bugle call played at military funerals, to honor veterans lost but not forgotten.
The day continues with a two-entree barbecue dinner, available for $19.99 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an option for “burn your own” grilling afterward. Participants can also enjoy a live musical performance by O.C. band the Funk Doctors from noon to 4 p.m.
“This is a day to honor and recognize the veterans who have offered their time and commitment to serve this country that allows us to live the freedom we live every day,” said Brian Fleming, a Tustin resident and former Marine Corp. staff sergeant who serves as commander for the 100-year-old post.
“It’s a time for us to be able to celebrate veterans and for everyone to share camaraderie and spend time with each other.”
Here’s a quick look at other Veterans Day observations taking place on Monday:
Huntington Beach
The city is teaming up with American Legion Huntington Beach Post 133 to present a Veterans Day ceremony that begins at 11 a.m. at Pier Plaza, 325 Pacific Coast Highway. The event will include remarks by U.S. Navy Command Senior Chief Vena Ramirez, of the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach.
That same day, a group of veterans, first responders and surfers will travel from Catalina Island to Huntington Beach in an annual Veterans Day paddle-out event organized by the nonprofit Open Water.
Paddlers will depart Catalina Island at 5:30 a.m. on Monday with an expected arrival on shore, south of Huntington Beach pier, set for 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Community members are encouraged to gather on the beach near the Lifeguard Headquarters.
Laguna Beach
A ceremony is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. at Monument Point in Laguna Beach’s Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Drive.
Fountain Valley
The city of Fountain Valley, Fountain Valley Community Foundation and West Orange County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Auxiliary 9557 will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m. in Veterans Park, 17635 Los Alamos St.
Seal Beach
A ceremony honoring veterans will be held on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Seal Beach’s Eisenhower Park at Main Street and Ocean Avenue.
Irvine
The city of Irvine will host a ceremony from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the formal garden area at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, 4 Civic Center Plaza. For more, call (949) 724-6715.
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