This weekend, families, friends and community members will gather to celebrate veterans for the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.
Over 120,000 surviving veterans – which mostly fought in the Vietnam and Korean Wars – call Orange County home.
Veteran’s Day was known as Armistice Day in the 1920s, and the holiday focused around memorial gestures symbolizing the end of World War I on “the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” – November 11, 1918.
Held on then-Armistice Day, the first celebration of Veterans Day was organized by WWII Veteran Raymond Weeks in 1947.
The celebration became Veterans Day in 1954 after President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Proclamation 3071.
Here are some noteworthy, free events and ceremonies happening Veterans Day weekend.
Saturday, November 9
Heroes Hall
Celebrate veterans at the Art of Service event at Heroes Hall at the OC Fairgrounds.
When: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Heroes Hall at (714) 708-1613
Car Show in Tustin
Enjoy a Veterans Day Car Show and Ceremony at the Veterans Sports Park. The event will have live music, food vendors and resources for veterans.
When: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 1645 Valencia Ave., Tustin, CA 92782
Cost: Free
For more details, call (714) 573-3326
Field of Valor
Attend the opening ceremony to the Field of Valor at Handy Park. The Field of Valor is a “patriotic tribute” of over 1,200 American flags, each dedicated in honor of a veteran or Active Duty Military personnel.
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: 2143 E. Oakmont Ave., Orange, CA 92867
Cost: Free
For more details, email susie@communityfoundationoforange.org
Patriotic Concert in Yorba Linda
Enjoy a patriotic concert by the Huntington Beach Concert Band at the Richard Nixon Library & Museum.
Registration for the event is required. Admission to the museum is not included with registration.
When: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the museum at (714) 993-5075
Monday, November 11
Ceremony in Stanton
Honor those that served at a Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Park across from City Hall.
When: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 10970 Cedar St., Stanton, CA 90680
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the City at (714) 890-4264
Ceremony in Dana Point
Join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9934, Ladies Auxiliary and the City of Dana Point in celebrating Veterans Day at Strand Vista Park.
When: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Selva Road, Dana Point, CA 92629
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Post #9934 at (949) 248-1419
Ceremony in Brea
Enjoy a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Brea Veterans Memorial.
When: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 1 Civic Center Cir, Brea, CA 92821
Cost: Free
For more details, call (714) 990-7771
Ceremony in Placentia
The City of Placentia is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Placentia Civic Center.
When: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 401 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia, CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, call (714) 993-8179
Ceremony in Huntington Beach
Enjoy a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Huntington Beach Pier Plaza, presented by American Legion Huntington Beach Post 133 and the City.
When: 11:00 a.m.
Where: 325 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, call (714) 990-7771
Ceremony in Anaheim
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3173 and the City of Anaheim will be hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial.
When: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Where: 241 S Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, call (714) 765-5162
Ceremony in Irvine
Honor Veterans at a ceremony in the formal garden at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park.
When: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606
Cost: Free
For more details, call (949) 724-6715
Ceremony in Laguna Niguel
Enjoy the Veterans Day Celebration at the Sea Country Senior and Community Center, which features a Boy Scout Color Guard, a guest speaker and recognition of Veterans in attendance.
When: 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 28241 La Paz Rd., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Center at (949) 425-5151
Ceremony in La Habra
Visit the La Habra Community Center for a celebration of Veterans Day.
When: 11:00 a.m.
Where: 101 W La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631
Cost: Free
For more details, call (562) 383-4200
Wednesday, November 13
Reception in Rancho Santa Margarita
Residents are invited to a reception at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center before the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council Meeting, where local officials will recognize the holiday.
When: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Cost: Free
For more details, call (714) 990-7771
•••
Can you support Voice of OC with a donation?
You obviously care about local news and value good journalism here in Orange County. With your support, we can bring you more stories like these.
