Orange County communities have a tradition of honoring residents who served this country in the military with Veterans Day events.
If you are a veteran or you would like to participate in commemorating the service of veterans, here are details on several of the events scheduled around the region — ceremonies will be on Nov. 11, unless otherwise noted:
Anaheim: The city will honor those who have served with a ceremony at 11 a.m. at its veterans monument at 241 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim Hills: The Anaheim Hills Rotary Club will again host its Flags of Honor Field at Eucalyptus Park this weekend through Veterans Day. Visitors can walk through the field and read dedications on the flags to veterans, members of the military and first responders who have served our county starting Nov. 7. At 10 a.m. on Nov. 8, there will be a special remembrance ceremony, Korean War veteran Norio Uyematsu will be the keynote speaker. Information: www.anaheimhillsrotary.org.
Brea: The city will pay tribute to veterans and those who died while serving their country during a 10 a.m. ceremony at the Brea Veterans Memorial at the Civic Center. There will be speakers, an honor guard and the names of locals who have died will be read.
Costa Mesa: The OC Fair & Event Center’s Heroes Hall Museum will honor veterans with a “Welcome Home!” event from noon to 3 p.m. on Nov. 8. There will be entertainment, exhibits highlighting veterans’ stories, food and veterans’ service organizations will participate. The fairgrounds are at 88 Fair Drive. Info: ocfair.com
Dana Point: VFW Post 9934 and its Ladies Auxiliary will join the city for a community event at 10 a.m. at Strands Vista Park, 34201 Selva Road.
Fountain Valley: The city with VFW Post 9557 and its auxiliary will honor veterans with a ceremony at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park, 17641 Los Alamos St.
Fullerton: The community’s Veterans Day parade will return this year, beginning at 9 a.m. at Harbor Boulevard and Ellis Place. Participants will march north on Harbor Boulevard to Hillcrest Park, where a remembrance ceremony will be held on the great lawn at 10 a.m. The ceremony will include a wreath laying, patriotic performances, a gun salate and speakers. To participate in the parade, veterans should meet in the parking lot at 124 Ellis Place at 8 a.m. and be able to march in cadence for the half mile route.
Huntington Beach: The city and American Legion Huntington Beach Post 133 will host a ceremony at 11 a.m. at Huntington Beach Pier Plaza. Command Senior Chief Vena Ramirez with the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach will be the guest speaker.
Irvine: The city 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. The ceremony will pay tribute to our nation’s troops and honor local veterans and military organizations.
Laguna Beach: A ceremony hosted by the VFW and American Legion honoring all veterans who served in the armed forces will be held at 11 a.m. at Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Drive. Musical performances will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Laguna Niguel: The community’s ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Sea Country Senior & Community Center, 24602 Aliso Creek Road, and will feature speakers, a color guard and recognition of veterans in attendance. Judge Richard M. King will be the guest speaker. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
La Habra: The community’s ceremony recognizing those who have served this country will begin at 11 a.m. at the Coleman Center, 900 W. La Habra Blvd.
Lake Forest: The 36th Veterans Day observance at El Toro Memorial Park will start at 11 a.m. Marine veteran Gerald Freibrun will be the keynote speaker. There will be patriotic performances, an honor guard firing salute and wreath laying. The memorial park is at 25751 Trabuco Road.
La Palma: The city is hosting an inaugural Veterans Day ceremony for the community at 11 a.m. on Nov. 8 at the Community Center, 7821 Walker St. An RSVP is required, priority will be given to veterans in the city. Information: lapalmaca.gov/veteransday.
Mission Viejo: The community ceremony will be held indoors at 8:30 a.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. There will be a color guard, rifle salute, performances and addresses from Col. Charles “Clay” Readinger, commanding officer of the Headquarter Battalion, First Marine Division, and retired Army veteran Brendon Moeller.
Orange: The Field of Valor will be on display from Nov. 8 through Nov. 13 at Handy Park, 2143 E. Oakmont Ave. The tribute features a field of flags honoring veterans and active military service members. An opening ceremony will be at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 8, and there will be a Marine Corps birthday event at 11 a.m. on Nov. 10 and an 11 a.m. ceremony on Veterans Day. Information: communityfoundationoforange.org
Placentia: The city’s 37th annual ceremony will start at 10 a.m. at the veterans monument in the Civic Center, 401 E. Chapman Ave. There will be speakers, patriotic music and new banners recognizing military service will be highlighted. New additions to the veterans monument will be unveiled.
San Clemente: A ceremony saluting veterans is planned at noon on Nov. 8 at the Marine Monument in Park Semper Fi. The 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps will also be celebrated. Lt. Col. Matthew Perry, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine, and Lt. Col. Adam Unkle, commanding officer of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, both at Camp Pendleton, are the guest speakers. Information: marinemonument.com
San Juan Capistrano: American Legion Post 721 invites the community to an 11 a.m. gathering at Veterans Park, 31852 Camino Capistrano. Tom Hribar, retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and former councilmember, will be the keynote speaker. There will be patriotic tributes and a moment of silence.
Seal Beach: Seal Beach Lions Club is hosting an event at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Eisenhower Park, 901 Ocean Ave. There will be guest speakers and a color guard ceremony.
Stanton: The city’s ceremony honoring those who have served will begin at 9 a.m. at the Community Services Department’s Banquet Hall with breakfast, a guest speaker, a color guard and patriotic performances. Attendance requires a reservation at StantonCA.gov/VeteransDay.
Tustin: The city will host a Veterans Day celebration and car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the Veterans Sports Park. There will be a ceremony honoring veterans, as well as resources for veterans, a car show, music, food trucks and more.
Yorba Linda: The community’s annual ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at the veterans memorial at Veterans Park, 4750 Valley View Ave. US Army Veteran Manny Montanez will be the keynote speaker. The Troy HS Navy Junior ROTC will present the Colors and there will be pipers from the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. The traditional Gold Star Roll Call will be conducted.
Yorba Linda: The Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., will host a free patriotic concert at 11 a.m. on Nov. 8 saluting those who served. The Huntington Beach Concert Band will perform. And, on Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., there will be a wreath-laying ceremony. Information and registration: nixonfoundation.org/events.
