Communities around San Diego are set to gather for Veterans Day on Nov. 11 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 ceremonies, parades and patriotic programs in San Diego County. Most are free; some are on the days before and after Veterans Day.
ALPINE
Veterans Day celebration: A Veterans Day ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 16 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. The keynote speaker will be Vietnam Veteran Dan Foster, who served in the Army and is a cofounder of the Alpine Veterans Wall of Honor. The Wall has plaques with the names of more than 600 local men and women who have served in the armed forces. During this dedication ceremony, 33 plaques will be added and those service members will be honored. Visit alpinewallofhonor.org.
CARDIFF
Veterans Day card-making: The Cardiff Farmers Market hosts a community event, “Create Cards for Veterans,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9. Participants of all ages can show gratitude to veterans by creating personalized cards, which will be delivered to local veterans’ groups for Veterans Day. Visit cardiff101.com/cardifffarmersmarket
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 on Nov. 11 at the academy’s Stephen M. Bliss Stadium, 2600 Carlsbad Blvd. Highlights include a military parade, flyover of vintage war planes, a military review by the Academys Corps of Cadets, a wreath presentation and the playing of taps. Visit armyandnavyacademy.org.
CORONADO
Hometown heroes honored: A military service recognition program will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 2 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 2024 Silver Strand Veterans Day Half Marathon, 10 Miler, 12K and 5K from Coronado to Imperial Beachs Sunset Park takes place Nov. 10, 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.
Salute to Veterans: The Coronado Island Film Festival Salute to Veterans runs Nov 6-10 at 650 D. St. The event includes a concert with the 45-piece Coronado Concert Band for a musical tribute to veterans and a military art installation by Joe Pisano along with other special guests. Reservations required. For location, showtimes and reservations, visit coronadofilmfest.com/events/salutetoveterans/
EL CAJON
Veterans Day ceremony: The American Legion Post 303 hosts a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on 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 at 9 a.m. and patriotic storefront decorations. At noon at Post 149, there will be a ceremony, lunch (free for active military), kids zone and military displays. Visit escovetfest.com.
FALLBROOK
Parade and ceremony: The Veterans Day parade starts at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Main Avenue and Fallbrook Street and concludes at the corner of Alvarado Street. The parade grand marshal is Ken Munson of Fallbrook, a retired Air Force officer and retired regional director of the Recording Industry Association of America. 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
JAMUL
VALOR celebration: The Veterans Award Luncheon of Recognition (VALOR) is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 14 at Jamul Casino Rooftop, 14145 Campo Rd. The event theme is Honoring The Unbroken Spirit of Women Veterans An Empowering Journey. Tickets are $100 at business.eastcountychamber.org/events/details/11-14-valor-veterans-award-luncheon-of-recognition-17090
NATIONAL CITY
Salute to Veterans: The Maytime Band Review Committee will put on a Salute to Veterans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 9 in Kimball Bowl at Kimball Park, 12th Street & D Ave. The commemoration will feature a color guard, guest speakers, photo display of local veterans and the American Legion Riders motorcycle club. A parade will be held in the center of the park with local vets and family members, led by Grand Marshall Shirley Farrell, who is retired from the Navy. Visit nationalcityca.gov/
OCEANSIDE
Veterans center holds ceremony: The Veterans Association of North County hosts its annual Veterans Day Ceremony honoring all those who served from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the VANC Resource Center, 1617 Mission Ave. The keynote speaker will be Brig. Gen. Nick Brown, Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations West-Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. Highlights include words from retired Navy Chaplain Commander V. H. Krulak, Jr. and performance by singer Eve Nasby. The ceremony will be followed by lunch. Admission is free; RSVP at vanc.me/veterans-day
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 with a musical prelude from 10:45 a.m. to noon on 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. The keynote speaker is retired Marine Col. Daren Erickson, executive director, Marine Corps Recruit Depot – San Diego Museum Foundation. Lisa Friedrichs, retired choir director of Rancho Bernardo High School, will serve as the master of ceremonies. 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 on Nov. 9 at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South. The event will pay special tribute to veterans of the Korean War. Highlights will include musical performances by Marine Band San Diego and flyovers by the San Diego Salute Formation Team. Visit soledadmemorial.org.
San Diego Veterans Day Parade: The Veterans Day Parade returns this year from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 11, 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 groups, military commands, businesses and community service and civic groups with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria as lead grand marshal. The parade will recognize the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion at Normandy, France during World War II. Grand marshals will include World War II veterans Calvin Shiner, Clayton Baum and Joseph Wilson. Visit sdvetparade.org.
Veterans Day Boat Parade: The Fleet Week Veterans Day Boat Parade around San Diego Bay featuring boats decorated in patriotic themes starts at 10:15 a.m. on Nov. 11 from Shelter Island and will pass Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, the USS Midway Museum and Seaport Village. Highlights will include vintage plane flyovers, live Coast Guard demos and other patriotic activities. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org.
Military Family Day: The annual Military Family Day is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Broadway Pier, 1000 Harbor Drive. Highlights will include live music, dancing, military displays, robots and kids activities and food trucks. Free for military families and the general public. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org.
Meet the Fleet at 32nd St.: Ship tours, static displays, rides, food vendors and live music from the Navy Band will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 2 at Naval Base San Diego, Gate 9 at Harbor Drive and 8th Street in National City. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org/meet-the-fleet-at-32nd-st-event/
“Salute to Service”: The USS Midway Museum hosts a “Salute to Service” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 11 with live music, food, children’s activities and contests. Admission is 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. Visit midway.org/event/salute-to-service-festival
“Hometown Arlington West Memorial“: The San Diego Veterans For Peace will display its “Hometown Arlington West Memorial” from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 on the front lawn of the USS Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive. Chapter veterans from branches of the military will honor 300 fallen service members from Southern California who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with special memorial markers. Visit sdvfp.org.
Veterans Day ceremony: Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation holds a Veterans Day ceremony at 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 honoring the members of the U.S. Coast Guard, at the cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive. This year’s keynote speaker is Rear Adm. Joseph Buzzella, commander of the Eleventh Coast Guard District. 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. 9-11 during the Red, White & Blue Salute. Highlights will include a Veterans Day performance from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, daily flag ceremony and fireworks. 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.
Fleet Week concert: The Navy Band Southwest Rock Band will kick-off festivities at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3 in Little Italy as part of the Fleet Week Concert series, performing a program that blends classic American tunes, patriotic anthems and modern hits. The Marine Band San Diego Sound Strike will continue the celebration with a tribute to military service members at 6 p.m. Nov. 4 in Little Italy. The Nov. 4 concert also marks the birthday of Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone and is a tribute to the legendary Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for his heroism in the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. Basilone is honored in Little Italy at the Piazza Basilone. Visit littleitalysd.com/events/fleet-week-concert-series
Veterans Day film: In honor of Veterans’ Day, the Foundation for Women Warriors holds an online screening of The Hello Girls from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 6. The documentary features rare 100-year old film footage of some of the countrys first female soldiers, from the National Archives and family photo records. The film revolves around 223 women sent to France in 1918 by U.S. Army Signal Corps as telephone operators to serve in World War I. The women swore Army oaths, wore uniforms, held rank and were subject to military justice. By war’s end, they had connected over 26 million calls and were recognized by General John J. Pershing for their service. When they returned home, the U.S. government told them they were never soldiers. Visit foundationforwomenwarriors.org/event/the-hello-girls-special-screening/
Military and Veteran Concert: The military appreciation concert is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 featuring the Navy Band Southwest and Marine Band at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. A Vietnam Veteran recognition and presentation is at 5 p.m. followed by the concert at 5:30 p.m. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org/military-appreciation-concert/
SAN MARCOS
Veterans Day at Memorial Park: The San Marcos Veterans Day Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on 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 Lt. Cmdr. Amy Forsythe, Navy public affairs officer. 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 Jazz Band. Service members are encouraged to attend in uniform. Bring lawn chairs. Visit san-marcos.net.
Veterans Day at Palomar College: A Veterans Day celebration is at 11 a.m. on Nov. 7 at the San Marcos Palomar College Veterans Memorial located between the Student Union and the SSC building. Visit palomar.edu/
SANTEE
Flag ceremony: Members of the Santee Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the American Legion Riders will be changing the flags at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Santee Veterans Memorial Monument, 9085 Fanita Parkway. The Santee Lakes Foundation is hosting a small coffee meeting before the ceremony for the veterans participating.
Veterans Day walkthrough: The City of Santee encourages community members to observe Veterans Day by taking a self-guided walkthrough of the Santee Hometown Heroes Banners located on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, 9085 Fanita Parkway. A guide is in the flyer box next to the Veterans Memorial Monument and at 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 on Nov. 11 at La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. The guest speaker will be Thomas Leonard, who served as a Navy Seal. The Camp Pendleton Young Marines will serve as Color Guard and the Santa Fe Christian School Band will perform a Military Musical Medley and other patriotic music. Highlights include the singing of the National Anthem, Freedom Bird song performance and Boogie Woogie Bugel Boy by the Santa Fe Christian School Dance Troupe. Visit ci.solana-beach.ca.us.
VALLEY CENTER
Program at cemetery: The annual Valley Center Veterans Day Program is from 11 a.m. to noon on 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.
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, at 1 p.m. on Nov. 11, with lunch at noon 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.
Veterans Day Display: The Valley Center History Museum is paying tribute to veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces, including the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Women’s Army Corps. 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
Salute to Service: The Vista Veterans Day ceremony is from 10 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial Park, 267 S. Santa Fe Ave. There will be presentations to honor veterans, guest speakers and a salute from the Vista City Council.
Vista’s Senior Center honors veterans: A program honoring veterans will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 8, followed by lunch at noon 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 registered Vista seniors older than 60 with 48-hour advance notice. Advanced reservations for lunch are required. RSVP by Nov. 3 at (760) 643-5288.
To add a Veterans Day event, email linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.