A replica cannon was fired to kick off the Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony that honored active duty and veterans of all military branches at Veterans Park in Poway.
The event was hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7907 in Poway where the celebrations continued afterward.
The featured speaker was Bob Parks, past district commander of VFW California District 1 in 2021-22 who also served as the Poway VFW Post 7907 commander in 2016-18.
Parks told the crowd he was inspired to join the U.S. Marine Corps by his grandfather, William A. Parks, who was born in Ireland in 1882 and settled in New York City where he joined the National Guard and worked for the New York Police Department.
“When WWI broke out the 69th Regiment was called up and he went to France,” Parks said. “He came back and in 1925 he received his gold detective shield in New York. When WWII broke out my grandfather went to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and joined the U.S. Navy. I was raised to respect active duty military and veterans. Even many of my high school teachers were veterans and were patriotic.”
After high school, Bob Parks enlisted in the Marines, where he served for several years before joining the reserves force. His younger brother, William F. Parks, also enlisted in the U.S. Army after serving four years in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), he said.
“For some reason, the Marine Corps instills a love of the military and country,” he said.
Julie Gallant
Veterans Day ceremony speaker Bob Parks is past district commander of VFW California District 1 in 2021-22 who also served as the Poway VFW Post 7907 commander in 2016-18. (Julie Gallant)
Julie Gallant
Officials prepare to fire a replica cannon at the start of the Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony held at Veterans Park near Old Poway Park. (Julie Gallant)
Julie Gallant
U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC members presented the colors before Veterans Day ceremony attendees recited The Pledge of Allegiance and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” (Julie Gallant)
Julie Gallant
Members of the Miss Military Stars and Positive Directions Pageantry attended the Veterans Day ceremony in support of the military. (Julie Gallant)
Julie Gallant
Living Way Church Pastor Daniel Balcombe, foreground, said opening and closing prayers with Poway VFW Post 7907 Commander Bill Kimble beside him. (Julie Gallant)
Show CaptionJulie Gallant1 of 5Veterans Day ceremony speaker Bob Parks is past district commander of VFW California District 1 in 2021-22 who also served as the Poway VFW Post 7907 commander in 2016-18. (Julie Gallant)
ExpandBill Kimble, commander of the Poway VFW Post 7907, recognized veterans in the audience who had received a Medal of Honor or a Gold, Silver or Bronze Star. He also shared appreciation for the work of The American Legion, the Fleet Reserve Association, the Military Officers Association of America and the family of military men and women who lend support while service members are at home or abroad.
“I want to thank active duty and veterans for their commitment, service and sacrifice,” Kimble said at the start of his presentation. “Without you, this nation would be nothing.”
As the ceremony closed, Chuck Cross, a member of Fleet Reserve Association Branch 70 in Poway and president of the Veterans Park Committee, read the inscriptions of new plaques that will be placed at Veterans Park to honor military members and their service.