As the nation prepares to observe Veterans Day this weekend, Orange County is set to host a series of ceremonies and events. Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery displayed by the men and women who have served in the armed forces.
We have put together a city-by-city list of all the Veterans Day ceremonies taking place throughout Orange County, offering residents the opportunity to come together and express their deep appreciation for our military members past and present.
Aliso Viejo
No in-person ceremonies are planned by the city. Instead, they have posted the following video, honoring the veterans from Aliso Viejo.
Anaheim
VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE: The city will host a ceremony honoring local veterans which will be emceed by Navy and Vietnam veteran Bobby McDonald, president and CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce. The keynote speaker will be Alexis Federico, who served as a UH-1 helicopter pilot and instructor in the Marine Corps, and the Esperanza High School Choir will perform.
When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Anaheim Veterans Monument, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim
Parking: Available in the Anaheim City Hall structure off Broadway and Mito Way, the surface lot at Anaheim Boulevard and Broadway and in structures on Center Street Promenade.
FIELD OF HONOR: The Anaheim Hills Rotary places flags in Eucalyptus Park with dedications to veterans, members of the military and first responders.
When: Dedication ceremony at noon on Nov. 11. Flags on display from Nov. 9-12.
Where: Eucalyptus Park, 100 North Quintana Drive, Anaheim
Brea
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: The city's annual ceremony will include an honor guard, music, remembrance and keynote speakers.
When: 10 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Brea Veterans Memorial at the Brea Civic and Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Cir, Brea
Buena Park
VETERANS HONOR LUNCH CELEBRATION: The city hosted a luncheon on Nov. 8 at the Buena Park Senior Center.
Costa Mesa
VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATION AT HEROES HALL: The ceremony on the grounds of the OC Fair and Event Center will include music, kids' activities and a post-9/11 veteran pinning ceremony. There will also be an unveiling of the new plaque honoring fallen heroes.
When: 2-4 p.m. Nov. 11
Where: OC Fair and Event Center, Heroes Hall, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
Cypress
VETERANS DAY CARNIVAL: The Veterans Resource Center on the Cypress College Campus will hold a carnival with game booths, an art station, and free barbecue.
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 9
Where: Cypress College, Veterans Resource Center, 9200 Valley View St., Building 8, Cypress
Dana Point
VETERANS DAY SERVICE: The Dana Point VFW Post and Auxiliary 9934 hosts the city's ceremony honoring veterans at the Veterans Memorial in Strands Visa Park.
When: 10 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Strands Visa Park, 34109 Selva Road, Dana Point
Fountain Valley
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: The City of Fountain Valley and the West Orange County VFW Post and Auxiliary 9557 will host the city's Veterans Day Ceremony. Some seating is available, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. Program includes color guard, keynote speaker and recognition of veterans. You can also show your appreciation to those serving or who have served by posting and using the hashtag #FVVETS.
When: 10 a.m.-noon. Nov. 11
Where: Veterans Park, 17635 Los Alamos St., Fountain Valley
Fullerton
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: The ceremony will be hosted by the City of Fullerton, the Fullerton American Legion Post 142 and the Fullerton Emblem Club 469. National Guard Lt. Col. Peter Seitz, Ret. will be the keynote speaker. Ceremony will also include patriotic music, the placement of flowers, a gun salute and the playing of "Taps." There will be no parade this year.
When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Hillcrest Park Veteran's Memorial, 1200 North Harbor Blvd., Fullerton
Garden Grove
VETERANS DAY POP UP: Xtyle It Fashion is hosting a pop up event at the Steelcraft food hall. The day includes karaoke and live music, discounts for veterans and opportunities to win prizes.
When: 1-9 p.m. Nov. 11
Where: Steelcraft Garden Grove, 12900 S. Euclid St., Garden Grove
VETERANS DAY RESOURCE EVENT: The Garden Grove Elks Lodge #1952 will host its Stars and Stripes USO "Like Show." The event includes dinner and a show and is free for veterans.
When: 3 p.m. happy hour, 4 p.m. Act 1, 5 p.m. dinner, 6 p.m. Act 2. Nov. 18
Where: Garden Grove Elks Lodge, 11551 Trask Ave., Garden Grove
Huntington Beach
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: The mayor and American Legion Huntington Beach Post 133 host an annual ceremony at Pier Plaza.
When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Huntington Beach Pier Plaza, 401 CA-1, Huntington Beach
Irvine
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: The City of Irvine will hold its ceremony in the Formal Garden at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park.
When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY and RESOURCE FAIR: Irvine Valley College hosts a ceremony and resource fair for veterans at campus Veterans Services Center. The ceremony includes unveiling the Sound Off comic book project which will celebrate the personal stories and achievements of veterans and military-connected students at IVC. The resource fair will be set up to provide connections with organizations providing support services in areas such as housing, healthcare, education, employment and legal services for veterans. Free lunch and parking provided.
When: Resource Fair: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Ceremony: 11 a.m. Nov. 9
Where: Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Drive, BSTIC 101, Irvine
La Habra
VETERANS DAY PROGRAM: La Habra's program is hosted by the La Habra Veterans Committee, co-organized by American Legion Post 267.
When: Begins at 10:30 a.m., with the formal part of the program starting at 11:00 a.m.
Where: La Habra Community Center, 101 W La Habra Blvd., La Habra
La Palma
No ceremony hosted by the City of La Palma.
Laguna Beach
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868 and American Legion Post 222 will celebrate Veterans Day at Heisler Park Monument Point. The public is invited and seating is limited.
When: 10:45 a.m. Musical prelude begins. 11 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach
Laguna Hills
No ceremony hosted by the City of Laguna Hills.
Laguna Niguel
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION: The ceremony will include remarks by Maj. Hammond M. Salley (U.S. Army), the color guard and recognition of veterans in attendance.
When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Sea Country Senior and Community Center, 24602 Aliso Creek Road, Laguna Niguel
Laguna Woods
No ceremony hosted by the City of Laguna Woods.
Lake Forest
VETERANS DAY PROGRAM: U.S. Veteran and Laguna Woods Mayor Cynthia Conners will be the keynote speaker at El Toro Memorial Park's 34th Annual Veterans Day Program. The free event also feature a color guard, a wreath presentation and an honor guard firing salute provided by VFW Edward J. Kearns Post 6024. Vocalist John Huntington will perform throughout the program with bagpipes by Richard Cook.
When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: El Toro Memorial Park, 25751 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest
Los Alamitos
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION: Historical military memorabilia will be on display and elementary students will sing and salute active military personnel and veterans. Includes free lunch and live music.
When: 2-5 p.m. Nov. 12
Where: St. Isidore Historical Plaza, 10961 Reagan St., Los Alamitos
Mission Viejo
VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE: The ceremony will include remarks by keynote speaker Col. Matthew D. Lundgren (U.S. Marines) and guest speaker Jessica Foat of Be Well OC, live vocal performances, a presentation of the colors, a rifle salute and the playing of "Taps." The ceremony will air live on Cox Channel 30 and AT&T Channel 99 and will be rebroadcast at cityofmissionviejo.org/MVTV.
When: 2 p.m. Nov. 11
Where: Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
Newport Beach
No ceremony hosted by the City of Newport Beach.
Orange
VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE: Ceremony to be held at Veterans Memorial at Depot Park.
When: 10 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Veterans Memorial at Depot Park, 100 N Atchison St., Orange
ORANGE FIELD OF VALOR: The Community Foundation of Orange hosts a Field of Valor, a patriotic tribute honoring all veterans and active duty military personnel. Hundreds of flags will be displayed, each dedicated in honor of a friend or family member. The opening ceremony on Saturday afternoon will include remarks, a presentation of colors, a flag salute and a special recognition of Vietnam Veterans. The afternoon will also include a 13 folds demonstration, a complimentary photo shoot for veterans and active duty military, a flyover by the Condor Squadron and a BBQ hosted by the Orange City Firefighters.
When: Opening ceremonies at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 11. Field of Valor on display from Nov. 11-18
Where: Handy Park, 2143 E. Oakmont Ave., Orange
Placentia
VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE EVENT: The city's observance will include guest speakers, patriotic music and recognition of the newest recipients of the Military Banner Recognition Program. Also, the added service members to the veterans monument will be honored, and their name inscriptions will be unveiled.
When: 10 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Placentia Civic Center, 401 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia
Rancho Santa Margarita
VETERANS DAY RECOGNITION: The city hosted a recognition ceremony on Nov. 8 at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center.
San Clemente
VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE: The city will honor all veterans with a ceremony at Park Semper Fi.
When: 10 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Park Semper Fi, 622 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente
San Juan Capistrano
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: The City of San Juan Capistrano and American Legion Post 721 will host a ceremony that includes refreshments and remarks from American Legion representatives and Mayor Hart.
When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Veterans Park, 31872 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
Santa Ana
No ceremony hosted by the City of Santa Ana.
Seal Beach
No ceremony hosted by the City of Seal Beach.
Stanton
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: The ceremony will include choral performances, a color guard, a guest speaker, a hot breakfast and a visit to the Veterans Memorial Park. Reservations required.
When: 9 a.m. Nov. 11
Where: Stanton City Hall, Community Services Banquet Hall, 7800 Katella Ave., Stanton
Tustin
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION and CAR SHOW: The day will include a ceremony to honor veterans, speeches, live music by the Satin Dollz, a beer garden, food trucks and a car show.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 11
Where: Veterans Sports Park, 1645 Valencia Ave., Tustin
Villa Park
No ceremony hosted by the City of Villa Park.
Westminster
SENIOR CENTER VETERANS DAY LUNCHEON: Lunch with entertainment by the Singing Goodtimers. Veterans eat for free.
When: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 9
Where: Westminster Senior Center, 8200 Westminster Blvd., Westminster
Yorba Linda
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: Hosted by the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial Association, the ceremony includes keynote speaker Able Bodied Seaman Lloyd Clayton, Royal Canadian Navy, D-Day Veteran, as well as remarks by the mayor of Yorba Linda and Col. Thomas M. Siverts, commanding officer of the 11 Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Pipes and drums will be present along with a color guard, a Gold Star roll call and the playing of "Taps." Attendees are encouraged to bring your lawn chairs.
When: 2 p.m. Nov. 11
Where: Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial, 4766 Valley View Ave., Yorba Linda
