Veterans Day is Nov. 11 and communities are set to gather to pay tribute to those who served in the nation’s armed forces. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, the day World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918. At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, in the 11th month of 1918, an armistice was signed, marking the end of the “Great War.” In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Here is a guide to Veterans Day parades, ceremonies and patriotic programs in San Diego County:
ALPINE
Veterans Day celebration: A Veterans Day Ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Alpine Veterans Wall of Honor, in the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. The event will feature stories from veterans and their families, patriotic music and updates from groups serving local veterans, such as the nonprofit Honor Flight, Freedom Dogs and Patriot Guard. New heroes being added to the Wall of Honor will be recognized. Visit alpinewallofhonor.org.
CARLSBAD
Army and Navy Academy ceremony: The Army and Navy Academy and the Rotary Clubs of Carlsbad will host their 15th annual Veterans Day Parade from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at the academy’s Stephen M. Bliss Stadium, 2600 Carlsbad Blvd. The guest speaker is Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano. Highlights include a military parade, flyover of vintage war planes, a wreath presentation and the playing of taps. Visit armyandnavyacademy.org.
Military appreciation: A community-focused Veterans Day event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 at The Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real, with entertainment, kids’ activities, information for military families, a clothing drive for female veterans and a silent auction of patriotic-themed quilts by El Camino Quilt Guild to benefit Operation Homefront. Visit theshoppesatcarlsbad.com/en/events.html.
CORONADO
Hometown heroes honored: A military service recognition program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 4 at Coronado High School’s Performing Arts Center, sponsored by the city of Coronado as part of the Avenue of Heroes program. Sixteen “hometown heroes” will be honored. Admission is free. Visit coronado.ca.us/avenueofheroes.
Veterans Day run: The 2023 Silver Strand Veterans Day Half Marathon, 10 Miler and 5K from Coronado to Imperial Beach Sunset Park takes place Nov. 12, organized by KOZ Events. A beach party will be held at the finish at Silver Strand State Beach with a Beach Boys cover band and a beer garden. Visit silverstrandhalf.com.
Coronado Island Film Festival Salute to Veterans: The Coronado Island Film Festival occurs over the Veterans Day holiday. To recognize veterans, the festival hosts a Salute to Veterans at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 that will include a concert with the 45-piece Coronado Concert Band for a musical tribute to veterans and a military art installation by Joe Pisano and other special guests at the Coronado School of the Arts, 650 D Ave. Admission is free. Reservations are required at coronadofilmfest.com/events/salutetoveterans. To see festival film schedule, go to coronadofilmfest.com.
EL CAJON
Veterans Day ceremony: The American Legion Post 303 hosts a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the flagpole by the courthouse in downtown El Cajon, near 250 E. Main St. Email alpost303adj@gmail.com.
ESCONDIDO
VetFest parade on Grand: The American Legion J.B. Clark Post 149 Escondido hosts the annual Escondido VetFest on Nov. 11. Festivities will include a parade on Grand Avenue from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and patriotic storefront decorations. VetFest at Post 149 at 230 E. Park Ave. is from noon to 3:30 p.m. including music, celebration and lunch. Visit escovetfest.com.
Veterans Day ceremony: The annual event hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1513 begins at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in front of the Wall of Courage at Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway. Highlights include singing the national anthem and other patriotic performances along with short stories from veterans or their families. Visit vfwpost1513.org/veterans-day-ceremony
FALLBROOK
Parade and ceremony: The Veterans Day parade starts at 10 a.m. at Main Avenue and Fallbrook Street and concludes at the corner of Alvarado Street. The parade grand marshal is retired Marine Maj. Gen. Anthony Jackson of Fallbrook. There will be firetrucks, youth groups, classic cars, military vehicles and local dignitaries. A ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Village Square, followed by free lunch and activities at the Charles E. Swisher VFW Post 1924 at 1175 Old Stage Road. Visit fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.
OCEANSIDE
Ceremony at veterans center: The Veterans Association of North County hosts its annual Veterans Day Ceremony honoring all those who served from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at the VANC Resource Center, 1617 Mission Ave. The keynote speaker will be Sgt. Maj. Oranjel Leavy, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Western Recruiting Region. Highlights include the VANC choir, active-duty color guard, Navy chaplain and honoring of Gold Star Wives, followed by lunch. Admission is free; RSVP at vanc.me/veterans-day or email lori@vanc.me.
POWAY
Community ceremony: VFW Post 7907 and the Poway Veterans Park Committee host a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Veterans Park, 14134 Midland Road. Visit poway.org.
RANCHO BERNARDO
Ceremony at Veterans Memorial: The Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony from 10:45 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial, Webb Park, 11666 Avena Place. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Gen. J.P. Holland Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars will participate along with Boy Scout Troop 685 and the Westview High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Retired U.S. Magistrate Judge and Vietnam War veteran Col. Victor Bianchini, who served in the Marine Corps, is the keynote speaker. World War II veteran Mary Beth Doss will sing the national anthem. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Visit rbvma.org.
SAN DIEGO
Ceremony at Mt. Soledad: A Veterans Day ceremony is from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South. The event will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Highlights include musical performances by Marine Band San Diego and flyovers by the San Diego Salute Formation Team. The keynote speaker is former U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer Jr., who served in Vietnam as an airborne ranger and infantry officer in the Army and received a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. This year’s honoree and special guest speaker is retired Navy Cmdr. Henry James “Jim” Bedinger, who served in Vietnam as an A-4 radar intercept officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation and was a prisoner of war. The event will be emceed by former San Diego police officer and news anchor Marc Bailey. Visit soledadmemorial.org.
San Diego Veterans Day Parade: The Veterans Day Parade returns this year from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 12 marching down Harbor Drive along San Diego Bay, between the County Administration Center and the USS Midway Museum. The parade features bands, floats, ceremonial vehicles and marching units from veterans organizations, military commands, local businesses and community service and civic groups with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria as lead grand marshal. The event will emphasize a number of military milestone anniversaries, including the 50th anniversaries of the end of the Vietnam War and the return of the Vietnam War POWs, and the 50th anniversary of women in naval aviation along with the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, 80th anniversary of naval helicopter aviation and 100th anniversary of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The parade will be streamed live at sdvetparade.org.
East Village SALUTES: The East Village Association will hold its inaugural East Village SALUTES event from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the entrance plaza of the Park 12 apartments, 100 Park Plaza, across from Petco Park. The celebration will honor the armed forces and feature veteran-owned business vendor booths, live musical performances from San Diego Marine Band’s Jazz Ensemble and family-friendly activities, including a “Letters to Veterans”activation hosted by the YMCA. Admission is free. Visit eastvillagesandiego.com/events/east-village-salutes.
Veterans Day Boat Parade: The Fleet Week Veterans Day Boat Parade around San Diego Bay featuring boats decorated in patriotic themes starts at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 12 from Shelter Island and will pass Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, the USS Midway Museum and Seaport Village. Highlights include vintage plane flyovers, live Coast Guard demos and other patriotic activities. The event will be livestreamed on the Fleet Week website at fleetweeksandiego.org and on Fleet Week San Diego on YouTube.
Military Family Day: Military Family Day is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 at Broadway Pier, 1000 Harbor Drive. Highlights include games, activities and goodies along with an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) Cooking Contest at noon and a concert at 1 p.m. Free for military families and the general public. A free shuttle will be offered round-trip from the Broadway Pier to the Coast Guard Open House at Coast Guard Sector San Diego. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org.
More Fleet Week events: Free Navy and Coast Guard ship tours, military displays, Navy and Marine Corps bands and the Innovation Zone are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10-12 at Broadway Pier, 1000 Harbor Drive. A free concert by Tim Hurley and his band will be held at 1 p.m. during Military Family Day on Nov. 11 on the Fleet Week Stage at Broadway Pier. A free Active Duty Military & Veterans Art Show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8-12 at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 1100 Kettner Blvd. A free concert featuring the Sully Band will be held on the Fleet Week Stage at Broadway Pier after the Veterans Day Parade at 2 p.m. Nov. 12. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org.
“Salute to Service”: The USS Midway Museum hosts a “Salute to Service” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11 with live music, food, children’s activities and contests, free for active-duty military, Reserve, National Guard and veterans and their families in partnership with NBC7 and Telemundo. Bring military ID and up to four family members. The Midway will offer free admission to U.S. military veterans during the month of November. Visit midway.org.
“Hometown Arlington West Memorial”: The San Diego Veterans For Peace will display its “Hometown Arlington West Memorial” from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 on the front lawn of the USS Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive. Chapter veterans from branches of the military will honor several hundred fallen service members from Southern California who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with special memorial markers. Visit sdvfp.org.
“Unsung Heroes” documentary: A free virtual screening of the documentary “Unsung Heroes: The Story of America’s Female Patriots” is from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 8, hosted by the San Diego nonprofit Foundation for Women Warriors. The film highlights the heroic sacrifices of women that served in the U.S. military and is co-directed by Ron Howard, Academy Award-winning filmmaker and executive producer. Register at foundationforwomenwarriors.org/event/special-virtual-screening-of-unsung-heroes-the-story-of-americas-female-patriots.
Veterans Day ceremony: Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation holds a Veterans Day ceremony at 4 p.m. Nov. 11 honoring the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War at the cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive. Speakers include retired Navy Cmdr. Henry James “Jim” Bedinger, former POW, and Dr. Pha Le, a Vietnamese refugee and longtime volunteer for Honor Flight San Diego. Visit miramarcemetery.org.
Red, White & Blue Salute Weekend: SeaWorld San Diego honors active-duty military members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces with a weekend tribute and free admission Nov. 10-12 during the Red, White & Blue Salute. Highlights include a field of honor, a daily flag ceremony, and a salute to heroes. The park offers free one-day admission tickets to veterans, active-duty military and three family members through the Waves of Honor program. Register at wavesofHonor.com; visit seaworld.com/san-diego.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Pets and Vets: Soapy Joe’s Car Wash invites community members to submit a photo of their veteran or a favorite pet at soapyjoescarwash.com/Pets-And-Vets and Soapy Joe’s will donate $1 to Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) and the Helen Woodward Animal Center through Nov. 11. Photos will be made into free paper air fresheners.
Paws for Patriots: Helen Woodward Animal Center and KayBella Cares will cover the adoption fees of pets for approved military families Nov. 9-13, while supplies last. The military adoption discount applies to active duty, reserve and veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard and immediate family members. Visit animalcenter.org.
SAN MARCOS
Veterans Day at Memorial Park: The San Marcos Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. will be followed by a reception at noon Nov. 11 at Helen Bougher Memorial Park, 1243 Borden Road. The park will be adorned with red, white and blue flowers and American flags. Speakers include Mayor Rebecca Jones and Vietnam veteran Thomas Galyean. The master of ceremonies is retired Col. Greg Rassatt. The San Marcos High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets and Boys and Girl Scout troops will assist with the ceremony. Music will be performed by the San Elijo Middle School Choir and Jazz Band. Service members are encouraged to attend in uniform. Bring lawn chairs. Visit san-marcos.net.
SANTEE
Flag Ceremony: The city of Santee and the Santee VFW are hosting a Flag Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Santee Veterans Memorial Monument, 9085 Fanita Parkway. Visit cityofsanteeca.gov.
Veterans Day activities: The city of Santee has created several activities for children and their families for Veterans Day, including a take-home pop-up of the Santee Veterans Memorial Monument and a self-guided walk-through. Photos of veterans will be honored on Santee TV and in social media. Visit cityofsanteeca.gov.
SOLANA BEACH
Ceremony with “Feathers From Heaven”: The city of Solana Beach and the Solana Beach VFW Post 5431 will host a Veterans Day ceremony with a “Feathers From Heaven” doves release from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. The Camp Pendleton Young Marines will serve as honor guard and the Santa Fe Christian School Band will perform patriotic songs. Guest speaker is Emilson Reyes, retired Navy chief. Visit ci.solana-beach.ca.us.
VALLEY CENTER
Patriotic concert: A Veterans Tribute Concert will be presented by the Valley Center-Pauma Music Boosters, featuring Valley Center Middle and High school jazz bands and the Roaring Jaguars High School Marching Band, from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Valley Center High School’s Maxine Theater, 31322 Cole Grade Road. Service members are encouraged to wear their uniforms. Admission is free. The Music Boosters will sell lunch and treats, starting at noon. Visit facebook.com/VCPBandBoosters.
Program at cemetery: The annual Valley Center Veterans Day Program is from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at the Valley Center Cemetery, 28953 Miller Road. Arrive at 10:30 a.m.; ceremony starts at 11 a.m. Visit valleycentercemetery.org.
Exhibit honors female veterans: The Valley Center History Museum is paying tribute to 10 local women who served in World War II in the U.S. armed forces, including the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Women’s Army Corps. An accompanying exhibit includes a rare 3-cent U. S. postage stamp featuring the image of four female veterans along with historical documents, medals, uniforms, dog tags and the ruins of a military aircraft that crashed locally, and profiles of local people who served in the Civil War. There is also a framed banner created in 1944 by Beatrice Bates to honor local World War II soldiers. The museum at 29200 Cole Grade Road is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free. Call (760) 749-2993 or visit vchistory.org.
VISTA
Senior center honors veterans: A program honoring veterans and family members will be held at noon Nov. 10 at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center’s Park Terrace Cafe, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. A $4 contribution for lunch is suggested for guests 60 and older; $8 fee for guests 59 and younger. Transportation can be provided for Vista seniors older than 60 with 48-hour advance notice. RSVP by Nov. 8 at (760) 643-5288.
To add a Veterans Day event, email linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.
