There are several events celebrating Veterans Day with offers and events for Santa Clarita Valley veterans.
“From a veteran’s perspective, Memorial Day is remembering those whose lives were lost during war,” said Renard Thomas, director of the COC Veterans Resource Center, “and Veterans Day is celebrating all who have served in the military.”
There are a few local opportunities to celebrate Santa Clarita Valley’s veterans for Veterans Day.
The city is kicking things off at the Veterans Historical Plaza on Saturday at 11 a.m., with a ceremony will include a special reading by Robert Heinisch as a sign of respect for those who are missing in action (MIA) or prisoners of war (POW) and an opportunity to hear from World War II veteran Lee Shulman. There will also be changing of the flags by the Knights of Columbus Santa Clarita Assembly and Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 355.
Other featured speakers include the Santa Clarita City Council, Chaplain Amos Clemmons, and Ted Olsen, who will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. The event will also include patriotic performances of the “National Anthem” and “God Bless the USA” by Savannah Burrows and “Freedom Guaranteed” by Gil Karson.
The Veterans Day Ceremony is a collaboration between the City of Santa Clarita and American Family Funding, American Legion, Post 507, American Legion Auxiliary, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, Back to the War Zone, Blue Star Dads, Blue Star Mothers of the Canyons Chapter #82, College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center, Congressman Steve Knight’s Office, Disabled American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Elks Lodge 2379, Homes for Heroes, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Moose Lodge, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Optimists Club, Prayer Angels for the Military, Rotary Club, Santa Clarita Valley Veterans Memorial, Inc., Soroptimist Club, The Soldiers Project, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, V.F.W. Post 6110, V.F.W. Post 6885, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 355, Wartime Romance and 1st Marine Division Associates
At the Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 6885, there’s a barbecue from 1-4 p.m. that’s free for veterans at their location on 16208 Sierra Highway.
At the Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 6110, there’s a dinner scheduled from 5-8 p.m. that’s free for veterans, and charging $8 for a country fried steak dinner, and $5 for a bacon cheeseburger dinner.
The Santa Clarita Valley Veterans Services Collaborative is also holding its annual dinner fundraiser, but this year, it’s recognizing veterans. The Veterans of Character event is taking place at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library starting with a tour of the special exhibits there at 3 p.m., with a dinner and program at 6:30 p.m.
