This weekend, families, friends and community members will gather to honor veterans for the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.
Over 120,000 surviving veterans – many of whom fought in the Vietnam and Korean Wars – call Orange County home.
Veteran’s Day evolved from celebrations of Armistice Day, a 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.
The first celebration of Veterans Day was organized by World War II Veteran Raymond Weeks in 1947 on Armistice Day.
It would later become an official holiday in 1954 after President Dwight D. Eisenhower – also Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II – signed Proclamation 3071.
Here are some free events and ceremonies happening Veterans Day weekend.
North Orange County
Yorba Linda
The Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial as seen in Veterans Park on Nov. 9, 2022. The Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial is dedicated to veterans who gave their lives starting on Sept. 11, according to the official memorial website. There is also a gold walkway that memorializes those who were killed in action; there is a total of 78 fallen soldiers, with eight being from Yorba Linda. Credit: DANIEL PEARSON, Voice of OC
Honor the contributions of veterans at a ceremony held at the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial. The ceremony will include a keynote speaker, presentation of colors, music and a roll call.
The keynote speaker is US Army Veteran Manny Montanez, a Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds received during a tank battle. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
When: November 11, 2:00 p.m.
Where: 4766 Valley View Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the memorial at (714) 688-7080
Brea
Pay tribute to servicemen and women during a ceremony at the Brea Civic & Cultural Center
When: November 11, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the city at (714) 990-7600
Fullerton
Enjoy a parade and ceremony honoring veterans at Hillcrest Park Great Lawn in Fullerton.
Starting at 9:00 a.m., the parade will travel down Harbor Blvd. from Chapman Avenue to Brea Boulevard. The ceremony will include wreaths, patriotic musical solos, a gun salute, the playing of Taps and a keynote speaker.
When: November 11, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 1200 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Fullerton Parks & Recreation special events team at (714) 738-6587
Placentia
Attend a Veterans Day celebration at the Placentia Civic Center featuring guest speakers, patriotic music and ceremonies honoring Military Banner Recognition Program recipients.
When: November 11, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 401 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia, CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Kelley Krahling at (714) 993-8179
Anaheim
Join the City of Anaheim for its annual Veterans Day Tribute honoring those that have served at the Veteran’s Monument.
When: November 11, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the city at (714) 765-4311
Anaheim Hills
Enjoy a display of 200 flags in Eucalyptus Park in honor of veterans.
When: November 11, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 100 North Quintana Drive, Anaheim, CA 92807
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Anaheim Hills Rotary Club at ahrc@anaheimhillsrotary.org
La Habra
Honor local veterans during a celebration hosted by the City of La Habra.
When: November 11, 11:00 a.m.
Where: 900 W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Martha Montoya at (562) 383-4200
Central Orange County
Stanton
The Prisoners of War and Missing in Action and American flags wave in the wind at Veterans Memorial Park in Stanton, Calif. on Nov. 9, 2022. Credit: AMIR GHANI
Enjoy a breakfast and ceremony in honor of veterans at Stanton City Hall. Participants are asked to register online due to limited space..
When: November 11, 9:00 a.m.
Where: 7800 Katella Ave., Stanton, CA90680
Cost: Free
For more details, call (714) 890-4270
Fountain Valley
Join the City of Fountain Valley and West Orange County Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post & Auxiliary 9557 for a ceremony at Veterans Park in Fountain Valley.
When: November 11, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 17635 Los Alamos St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Fountain Valley Recreation & Community Services Department at (714) 593-4446
Irvine
Celebrate veterans alongside the City of Irvine at a ceremony at the Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park.
When: November 11, 11:00 a.m.
Where: 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606
Cost: Free
For more details, contact special events at (949) 724-6606
Coastal Orange County
Huntington Beach
The Huntington Beach Pier on Jan. 22, 2024. Credit: BRIAN GUEVARA, Voice of OC.
Join the City of Huntington Beach and American Legion Huntington Beach Post 133 for a ceremony honoring veterans at Pier Plaza.
Attendees will hear from guest speaker Vena Ramirez, Command Senior Chief with the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach.
When: November 11, 11:00 a.m.
Where: 325 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Dennis Bauer at (714) 536-3855
Laguna Beach
People walking by the ocean in Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, Calif. on Nov. 21, 2024. Credit: BRIAN GUEVARA, Voice of OC
Join Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868 and American Legion Post 222 at Monument Point in Heisler Park for a Veterans Day celebration, also marking the 77th anniversary of VFW Post 5868.
When: November 11, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 375 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact VFW Post 5868 at (949) 494-4835
Dana Point
Honor the sacrifices or veterans during a ceremony at Strands Vista Park by the Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934, Ladies Auxiliary and the City of Dana Point.
When: November 11, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 34201 Selva Rd., Dana Point, CA, 92629
Cost: Free
For more details, please contact the City of Dana Point Recreation Division at (949) 248-3536 or recreation@danapoint.org
South Orange County
Mission Viejo
Join the City of Mission Viejo’s annual Veterans Day program that includes a presentation of colors, a three-volley rifle salute, the playing of Taps and a reception at the Norman P. Murray Community Center. Attendees will hear from keynote speakers Colonel Charles “ Clay” Readinger, Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battalion, First Marine Division, and retired Army Veteran Brendon Moeller.
The event will be rebroadcasted at cityofmissionviejo.org/MVTV.
When: November 11, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Where: 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the community center at (949) 470-3062
Laguna Niguel
Enjoy a Veterans Day program with a color guard, guest speaker and recognition of veterans in attendance at the Sea Country Senior and Community Center.
The program begins at 11:00 a.m., but doors open at 10:30 a.m.
When: November 11, 10:30 a.m.
Where: 24602 Aliso Creek Rd., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the community center at (949) 425-5151
Ladera Ranch
Enjoy a community gathering at Town Green Park celebrating veterans by Lion’s Heart Group 2029.
When: November 12, 10:00 a.m. to 1:0 p.m.
Where: 28801 Sienna Pkwy., Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Ladera Ranch Community Services at (949) 218-0900
Lake Forest
Join others to honor veterans at El Toro Memorial Park for a program with a color guard, wreath presentation, patriotic musical performances, an honor guard salute and a keynote speaker.
This year’s keynote speaker will be U.S. Marine Corps veteran Gerald Freibrun, who served with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and sits on the Executive Leadership Board for the Veterans Club at Saddleback College.
When: November 11, 11:00 a.m.
Where: 25751 Trabuco Rd., Lake Forest, CA 92630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the cemetery at (949) 951-8244
If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org
For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.
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