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 Los Angeles area Veterans Day events.
Veterans Day from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: The event honoring veterans returns with activities, a Civil War encampment, a display of military vehicles and a Veterans Day program, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The program, at 11 a.m., includes an honor guard, live music and remarks by keynote speaker United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran Bob Parsons. Parsons is a co-founder, with his Renee, of the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation that awards grants to nonprofit organizations that includes helping wounded veterans and military families. Free for the program and outdoor events; admission charge for museum exhibits. Register for program seating here: sforce.co/3qeI6gJ. 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. www.reaganfoundation.org/programs-events/events-calendar/veterans-day-commemoration-2021/
Veterans Day at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area’s Visitor Center: The program includes remarks by U.S. Navy Captain Ryan J. Bryla, Commodore of Naval Test Wing Pacific based out of Naval Air Station Point Mugu, and United States Army Lt. Col. Charmaine Betty-Singleton, Staff Judge Advocate of U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Buchanan Installation Legal Office in acramento, 10 a.m. Veterans who work at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area with the National Park Service will be acknowledged. A hike to Inspiration Point is also part of the event. Veterans and their families may register for the program here: www.eventbrite.com/e/honoring-veterans-event-tickets-195283788067. King Gillette Ranch, 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. 805-370-2301. www.facebook.com/santamonicamtns/
Veterans for Peace – Reclaim Armistice Day: The group plus military families and South Coast Interfaith Council hold a walk for peace, 10:30 a.m. The walk begins at Valparaiso Plaza at Junipero Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, and ends at the Lone Sailor statue, Ocean and Paloma avenues in Bluff Park in Long Beach. 562-522-4241. www.veteransforpeace.org
Veterans Day with Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills – Online: The 62nd annual celebration will be streamed on Facebook Live, 11 a.m. The event honoring United States military veterans includes a flyover by the Condor Squadron, invocation and benediction by Monsignor Frank Hicks, from St. Basil Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles, patriotic music by the Band of the California Battalion, a reading of the presidential proclamation by Kaya Plansker, with Leadership Pasadena, a color guard salute by the Los Angeles Police Department and remarks by Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin. The keynote speech is by United States Navy veteran and actress Jennifer Marshall. Emcee for the program is Michael Ellington, a 35-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. www.facebook.com/forestlawn; also, a Chinese and a Spanish language presentation of the program from the links here: forestlawn.com/events/veterans-day/
Veterans Day with Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District: The annual event is an in-person event, 11 a.m. The salute to veterans also includes a centennial commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and those who are still missing in action. Rancho Tapo Community Park Veterans Plaza, 3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. www.facebook.com/RSRPD; bit.ly/2JzsJfL
Veterans Day from the City of Santa Clarita: An in-person ceremony honoring veterans and currently-serving military and their families, 11 a.m. The event, with master of ceremonies Fred Arnold, includes remarks from Congressman and United States Navy veteran Mike Garcia, Rev.s André Veluzat and Vaughn Winters and changing of the flags by members of the Knights of Columbus Santa Clarita Assembly and Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 355. The National Anthem will be sung by Sylvia Gaxiola and “America the Beautiful” by Elisha and Marco Soronio. A special reading by Robert Heinisch remembering prisoners of war and those missing in action. Veterans Historical Plaza, 24275 Walnut St., Newhall (bit.ly/3jSS14S). City of Santa Clarita Arts and Event, 661-250-3787. City of Santa Clarita calendar page for Veterans Day: calendar.santa-clarita.com/
San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade – Online: The 18th annual parade — once again virtual as in 2020 — will be available to watch on the parade’s website at 11:11 a.m. clicking on the parade link. The 2021 grand marshal is retired Cpl. Samuel Castrellon, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979-1982. www.sfvveteransdayparade.com
San Pedro Veterans Day Celebration: On Saturday, Nov. 13, Pacific Battleship Center, a nonprofit organization that operates the Battleship USS Iowa Museum in San Pedro, 250 S. Harbor Blvd., will host its inaugural Veterans Day West event aboard the historic battleship. The free event runs from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and will feature live music, food and a veteran resources fair. pacificbattleship.com
Carson Veterans Day Celebration: The city of Carson will host its annual Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, November 11. The celebration will take place at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park, located at 22400 Moneta Avenue. The event is open to the public and admission is free. New names that were added to the city of Carson’s Veterans’ Wall will be presented during the event.
Torrance Veterans Day – Virtual: The city of Torrance’s Social Services Commission is providing a virtual recognition program for veterans throughout the week of Nov. 7-13. The program features dozens of residents who have served in the armed forces, and can be viewed at storymaps.arcgis.com.
Hermosa Beach “Veterans are Timeless:” The names of local veterans (previously submitted by the community) will be showcased near the Hermosa Beach Veterans Memorial located on the east lawn of the Community Center at 710 Pier Ave. Additionally, a wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Throughout November, a commemorative video will be shared on the city’s Community Resources Department’s social media channels and on Channel 8 (Spectrum) and Channel 31 (Frontier) during the month of November. Find out more on hermosabeach.com/veterans.
Redondo Beach ceremony and BBQ: The city of Redondo Beach will observe Veterans Day 2021 at Veterans Park, 309 The Esplanade. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. with reflection and remembrances, commentary and honors to all those who wore the uniform. Music will be provided by the 40th Infantry Division Band of the California National Guard. Following the ceremony, the community is invited to a barbeque lunch hosted by the Redondo Elks Lodge #1378 in the Elks’ parking lot adjacent to the park. The meal is free for veterans, active military and police and firefighters. A $5 donation is requested from others. Details are at rbveteransmemorial.com.
Manhattan Beach commemoration: Veterans will be honored by the City of Manhattan Beach at a ceremony on Veterans Parkway, 400 N Ardmore Ave. starting at 11 a.m. Mayor Hildy Stern will open the the day’s events with a Presentation of the Colors by the Manhattan Beach Police Department Honor Guard, thoughts on Veterans Day by a local Scout troop, and a keynote speaker. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Joslyn Center at 1601 North Valley Dr. Find updates on the Events Calendar of the city’s website, manhattanbeach.gov.
Long Beach African American Veterans exhibit: The African American Cultural Center in Long Beach will celebrate the grand opening of its African American Military Heroes Exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave. The free event, produced Forgotten Images, a company that specializes in African American history exhibits, will take place from noon to 7 p.m.
Long Beach Veterans Day Festival: On Saturday, Nov. 13, Long Beach will host a festival to honor veterans with music, a ceremony, vendors and services for those who have served. It runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Houghton Park, near Veterans Valor Plaza and the iconic U.S. Army helicopter, at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Harding Street. The festival replaces the annual Veterans Day Parade.
La Puente High School Veterans Day celebration: The school will rededicate a World War I memorial in front of the gymnasium at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Students will then participate by going to stations inside the gym, where they will engage veterans in oral-history talk. Veterans from past wars as well as more current-day veterans will then have lunch in the school library.
Veterans Day in Whittier: A Veterans Day celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Central Park, 6532 Friends Ave., Whittier. There will be music from the LA Marching Band’s Brass Quintet and First Marine Division Band. For information, call 562-567-9450.
Veterans Day in Norwalk: A celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11 at City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Light refreshments will be served.
Pasadena Fly Over: The city of Pasadena invites local residents to honor the community’s military veterans during a public ceremony at City Hall beginning at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Nov. 11. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and Brigadier General David G. Smith of a few of the local dignitaries expected to attend the event. The Condor Squadron is scheduled to do a close formation low altitude military fly over 100 Garfield Avenue in Pasadena at 11:11 a.m. Those unable to attend can access a broadcast on KPAS TV, Charter Spectrum Channel 3, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 or online at www.pasadenamedia.org/channel/kpas.
How to help/connect with a veteran
- Disabled American Veterans: www.dav.org
- Gary Sinise Foundation: www.garysinisefoundation.org/mission
- Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans of all services and ages, and their supporters, meet from 8:30-11 a.m. every Monday of the month. Guest speakers scheduled for meetings. Currently, the group is also offering the meetings on Zoom. Location, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds for the Zoom link, ID and password and other information. 818-884-4013.
- Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org