Orange County communities schedule Veterans Day ceremonies

Local governments and civic groups in Orange County have finalized schedules for Veterans Day observances. The events focus on honoring residents who have served in the armed forces. Most ceremonies are set for Nov. 11, but several communities will hold earlier or later gatherings to accommodate residents.

The season of recognition begins on Nov. 7. La Palma holds its city ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Community Center on Walker Street. San Clemente salutes veterans at noon at the Marine Monument in Park Semper Fi. Tustin hosts a celebration and car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veterans Sports Park. Anaheim Hills opens its Flags of Honor Field at Eucalyptus Park on the same day. Orange displays its Field of Valor at Handy Park, with an opening ceremony scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 7.

On Nov. 10, Orange hosts a Marine Corps birthday event at 11 a.m. at Handy Park. The Anaheim Hills Rotary Club concludes its flag display on Nov. 12. A special remembrance ceremony takes place at 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Eucalyptus Park. The event features a color guard, a guest speaker, and the placement of 200 luminarias.

The majority of ceremonies occur on Nov. 11. Anaheim holds its event at 11 a.m. at the veterans monument on South Anaheim Boulevard. Retired Army Lt. Col. Barbara Gerovac is set to deliver the keynote address. Brea pays tribute at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center. The ceremony includes an honor guard and the reading of names of locals who died in service. Costa Mesa’s Heroes Hall Museum hosts an event from noon to 3 p.m. at the OC Fair and Event Center. Dana Point and Fountain Valley hold community events at 10 a.m. at Strands Vista Park and Veterans Park, respectively.

Fullerton returns its Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11. The march starts at 10 a.m. at Harbor Boulevard and Berkeley Avenue. Participants will walk north to Hillcrest Park for a remembrance ceremony. Retired Col. Chris Schaefer will give the keynote address. Huntington Beach holds a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Pier Plaza. Irvine hosts its event from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. A member of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division will provide remarks.

Laguna Beach holds a ceremony at 10:45 a.m. at Heisler Park. Laguna Niguel begins its event at 11 a.m. at the Sea Country Senior and Community Center. La Habra features a performance by The Swing Dolls at its 11 a.m. ceremony. Lake Forest holds its 37th annual observance at 11 a.m. at El Toro Memorial Park. Vietnam veteran Mark Furlan will speak at the event. Mission Viejo hosts an indoor ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. Colonel B.P. Lambert, the commanding officer of the city’s adopted Headquarters Battalion, First Marine Division, will address the crowd.

Placentia holds its ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center. San Juan Capistrano unveils a new Veterans Memorial Wall and commemorative pavers at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park. Seal Beach hosts an event at 11 a.m. at Eisenhower Park. Stanton begins its ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Community Services Department’s Banquet Hall. Yorba Linda holds its annual ceremony at 2 p.m. at Veterans Park. Author Cindy Scott will speak about her family’s military history, including her mother’s time as a prisoner of war in World War II. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum hosts a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11.