A guide to Veterans Day events across San Diego County: From parades to tributes

Veterans Day is on Nov. 11 and communities will gather to salute 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. Some of this year’s events also celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps and Navy.

Here is a guide to Veterans Day parades and patriotic ceremonies throughout San Diego County. Most are free; some are on the days before and after Veterans Day. Most of the Fleet Week events have been cancelled because of the government shutdown.

ALPINE

Veterans Day celebration: A Veterans Day ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. Nov.15 at the Alpine Veterans Wall of Honor, in the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. Bill Ridenour, a 102-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II, will deliver the keynote address. 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 and Patriot Guard. There will be a brief history of the Honor Wall and a dedication to the late Dan Foster, a Vietnam veteran 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 900 local men and women who have served in the armed forces. During this dedication ceremony, 15 plaques will be added and those service members will be honored. Visit thealpineclub.org.

CARLSBAD

Army and Navy Academy ceremony: The Army and Navy Academy and the Rotary Clubs of Carlsbad will host their annual Veterans Day Military Review from 10:45 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at the academy’s Stephen M. Bliss Stadium, 2600 Carlsbad Blvd. The guest speaker is retired Army Col. Oliver Cass, alumnus of the Academy. Highlights include a military parade, flyover by the Salute Formation Flying Team, military review by the Academy’s Corps of Cadets, wreath presentation and the playing of taps. Visit armyandnavyacademy.org.

CHULA VISTA

Veterans Day observance: A Veterans Day ceremony is from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at the Chula Vista Memorial Park Bowl. The guest speaker will be Chula Vista Mayor John McCann. After the ceremony, attendees can attend a reception at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2111, located at 299 I Street. The event is jointly sponsored by VFW Post 2111, American Legion Post 434 and Fleet Reserve Association Branch 61.

CORONADO

Veterans Day run: The Silver Strand Veterans Day Half Marathon, 10 Miler, 12K and 5K along the Silver Strand with finish at Coronado State Beach takes place Nov. 9, organized by KOZ Events. A beach party will be held at the finish with entertainment and beergarten. Visit silverstrandhalf.com.

EL CAJON

Veterans Day ceremony: The American Legion Post 303 hosts a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the flagpole by the courthouse in downtown El Cajon, near 250 E. Main St. Email alpost303adj@gmail.com.

ENCINITAS

Veterans Day observance: American Legion San Dieguito Post 416 will hold a Veterans Day service at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 with speakers and patriotic music at 210 W. F St. There will be burgers and brats afterward and live music from 2 to 5 p.m. Visit sdpost416.org.

ESCONDIDO

VetFest parade & festival: The American Legion J.B. Clark Post 149 Escondido, Brothers of 6 Charities and Disabled American Veterans host the annual North County VetFest parade and festival from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Festivities will include a parade starting at Grape Day Park on Broadway at 9:30 a.m. and going south on Broadway and then around the park. There will be patriotic storefront decorations and military history displays. At 11 a.m. at Post 149, there will be a ceremony, lunch, live band and military displays. Visit northcountyvetfest.org.

Veterans Day at Wall of Courage: The ceremony hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars, John R. Simpson Post 1513 is at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in front of the Wall of Courage at Grape Day Park, 321 North Broadway. The annual event is a tribute to the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. Visit vfwpost1513.org.

FALLBROOK

Parade and ceremony: The Veterans Day parade starts at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Main Avenue and Fallbrook Street and concludes at the corner of Alvarado Street. There will be fire trucks, 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.

NATIONAL CITY

Salute to Veterans: Parade and festival with music and food is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Kimball Park, 12th Street & D Avenue. The parade starts at 10 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 11 a.m. and a festival with music and food from 12 to 4 p.m. at Kimball Park. Free admission. Visit nationalcitychamber.org.

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. Nov. 11 at the VANC Resource Center, 1617 Mission Ave. The keynote speaker is retired Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Luis E. Fonseca Jr. Highlights include words from Navy Chaplain Lt. Edwin Handley and performance by singer Eve Nasby. The ceremony will be followed by free 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. It is the 15th anniversary since the Veterans Park was dedicated. Visit poway.org.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Ceremony at Veterans Memorial: The Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association will host its annual Veterans Day event, including a musical prelude and ceremony, from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. 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 Navy Capt. Mike Fuqua. Lisa Friedrichs, Veterans of Foreign Wars California High School Teacher of the Year 2019-20, will serve as the master of ceremonies. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Visit rbvma.org.

SAN DIEGO

Ceremony at Mt. Soledad:  A Veterans Day ceremony themed, “Honoring a Legacy: 250 years at Sea, on Land and in the Air,” is at 11 a.m. Nov. 8 at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South. The event honors all veterans and commemorates the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and their impact on the San Diego community. Featured speakers include retired Navy Vice Adm. Charles Martoglio and retired Marine Brig. Gen.Paul Lebidine. The event will pay special tribute to Cmdr. Theodore Gordon “Spuds” Ellyson, the first U.S. Navy officer designated as a Naval Aviator, and Gen. Joseph Pendleton, the first commanding officer of Marine Corps Base San Diego, which became MCRD. Highlights will include musical performances by the La Jolla High School Viking Band 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. 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, 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 end of World War II. Grand marshals will include World War II veterans Calvin Shiner, Ena Reynolds Slaughter, Roberta “Randy” Tidmore, Fred Taylor and Al Hansen. Visit sdvetparade.org.

Fleet Week cancellations: Most Fleet Week events, including the boat parade, Meet the Fleet at 32nd St., Fleetweek Broadway Pier and Salute to Service, among others are cancelled this year because of the government shutdown. Visit fleetweeksandiego.org/government-shutdown.

“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. 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.

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. 8-10 during the Red, White & Blue Salute. Highlights will include daily flag ceremony, fireworks and Hero’s Salute at Orca Encounter. 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

Screening of Unsung Heroes documentary: Foundation for Women Warriors hosts a free virtual screening of “Unsung Heroes: The Story of America’s Female Patriots” at 4 p.m. Nov. 12. The documentary highlights the heroic sacrifices of women who served in the American military and is produced by Academy Award filmmaker and executive producer Ron Howard. Visit foundationforwomenwarriors.org.

SAN MARCOS

Veterans Day at Memorial Park: The San Marcos Veterans Day Ceremony is at 11 a.m. 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, Linda Dudik, professor emeritus at Palomar College and president of nonprofit World War II Experience and retired Army Colonel Greg Rassatt. The California State University San Marcos Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets from Mission Hills High School, San Marcos High School, Woodland Park Middle School, and Boys and Girl Scout troops will assist with the ceremony. Music will be performed by the Mission Hills High School Choir and the San Elijo Middle School Jazz Band. Service members are encouraged to attend in uniform. Bring lawn chairs. Visit san-marcos.net.

SANTEE

Veterans Day walk: The City of Santee offers a self-guided walk all day Nov. 11 at the Santee Hometown Heroes Banners display honoring nearly 100 veterans at the Veterans Memorial Monument, at Carlton Hills Boulevard and Mast Boulevard. Visit cityofsanteeca.gov.

Flag ceremony: Members of the Santee Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the American Legion Riders will hold a flag-raising ceremony 11:11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Santee Veterans Memorial Monument, 9085 Fanita Pkwy.

SOLANA BEACH

Tribute to veterans: The city of Solana Beach and the Solana Beach VFW Post 5431 will host a Veterans Day ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. The Camp Pendleton Young Marines will serve as Color Guard and the Santa Fe Christian school band will perform patriotic music. Representatives from various branches of the Armed Forces and city dignitaries are slated to attend. There will be a “Feathers From Heaven” release of doves. Light refreshments will be served. Visit ci.solana-beach.ca.us.

VALLEY CENTER

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. 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

Program at historic cemetery: The annual Valley Center Veterans Day Program is from 11 a.m. to noon 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.

Veterans Day exhibit: The Valley Center History Museum’s annual Veteran’s Day exhibit highlights William C. Ball, a British citizen who served in the U.S. Confederate Army and later became a prominent citizen of Valley Center.  The museum is saluting veterans of the U.S. armed forces with an exhibit featuring war mementos and memorabilia. 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 9 to 10 a.m. 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.

Veterans Day celebration at senior center: A USO-style program led by Kai The Oldies Guy, with sing-along and dance is at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 10, 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. Advance reservations for lunch are required by Nov. 7 at 760-643-5288.

To add a Veterans Day event, email linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.