Veterans Day observances are planned throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties Wednesday, including what organizers are billing as the largest Veterans Day parade in the history of the San Fernando Valley.
The sixth annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade will include the participation of more than 60 veterans groups, the San Diego-based Navy Band Southwest, the 1st Marine Division Band from Camp Pendleton, the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest and at least five high school marching bands, according to organizers.
A flyover is planned by the World War II era Flying Condor Squadron from Van Nuys.
The parade is set to begin at 11:11 a.m. at Laurel Canyon and San Fernando Mission boulevards in Mission Hills, proceed south on Laurel Canyon Boulevard 1.1 miles and end at Ritchie Valens Park in Pacoima.
Forest Lawn will conduct its 50th annual Veterans Day program, with the theme, "A Celebration of Heroes." U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Eric Mejia, who has been deployed to Iraq four times, Sheriff Lee Baca and Army Maj. Gen. John S. Harrel, commander of the California Army National Guard, are scheduled to speak.
The program, which starts at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, will feature an aerial performance by the Golden Stars Skydiving Team, performances by soloist Robbie Britt and patriotic musical arrangements by the Chatsworth High School Marching Band.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is scheduled to speak at an observance at the Los Angeles National Ceremony in Westwood, beginning at 11 a.m., along with Tom Ruck, the author of "Sacred Ground."
Homeless veterans will receive a multi-course lunch from the Daily Grill beginning at 11 a.m. at the Union Rescue Mission.
Redondo Beach's seventh annual ``Honor Our Veterans Tribute'' will include a 2 p.m. groundbreaking for a Veterans Memorial in Veterans Park, adjacent to the Redondo Beach Pier.
A candlelight vigil honoring veterans of all wars will be held at the Airtel Hotel in Van Nuys from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Observances are also planned for Carson and West Hollywood.
In Orange County, Fullerton will conduct its 22nd annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, including a flyover by Air Combat USA, which simulates aerial combat using vintage fighter planes. U.S. Naval Reserve Cmdr. Michael Mattis will be the guest speaker at the memorial ceremony.
Admission will be free at the Richard M. Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda. A special program in the East Room beginning at 11 a.m. will feature the inaugural presentation of the Orange County Veteran of the Year Award to U.S. Marine Corps Gen. W.R. ``Bill'' Quinn, commander of Camp Pendleton during the Nixon administration.
The keynote speech will be delivered by U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton.
Patriotic musical presentations and medleys will be performed by the Villa Park High School Symphonic Band and the Orange His School Chamber Singers and Choir.
Orange will hold its ninth annual Veterans Day tribute, beginning at 2 p.m., with Col. Abel Barrientes, vice commander, Fourth Air Force from the March Air Reserve Base as the keynote speaker at Depot Park.
A Veterans Day Observance in Mission Viejo at its Veterans Memorial at 2 p.m. will include an address by U.S. Marine Corps Col. Michael S. Groen, commander of the Headquarters Battalion First Marine Division, the city's adopted division, and a Marine Color Guard. Rep. Gary Miller, R-Diamond Bar, is also scheduled to speak.
A Veterans Day Observance will also be held at Irvine Valley College, beginning at 1 p.m.
Holiday Closures
Government offices, courts, libraries, banks and post offices will be closed today for the Veterans Day holiday. Trash will be collected as usual in Los Angeles, according to the city Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation.
All Metro-operated buses and trains will operate on a normal schedule. Information on Metro schedules is available by calling (800) COMMUTE or online at www.metro.net.
Metrolink trains and Foothill Transit lines will also operate on normal schedules.
