Veterans honored throughout Coachella Valley
There are a few events planned around the Coachella Valley to honor the sacrifices of those who have served in our nation’s military and those who continue to serve this Veterans Day — Friday November 11. Thousands of United States Marines and Sailors are stationed locally at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, and Coachella Valley residents are invited to attend any of the following events to show their support.
General Patton Memorial Museum holds 28th annual Veterans Day Celebration at 10 AM
Officials said the General Patton Memorial Museum, located in Chiriaco Summit, is a testament to the role General Patton and his Desert Training Center played in winning World War II. This year’s General Patton Award will honor ‘The Rosies’.
Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the American women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies.
Michael Ables, the new Executive Director of the General Patton Museum said, “What better way to honor General Patton and his amazing legacy than to celebrate our Veterans? We have a special day of festivities planned and welcome residents throughout the greater Coachella Valley and beyond to join in on the fun.”
Festivies will include special guests Congressman Raul Ruiz, Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, State Senator Jeff Stone, and Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit.
Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon and Chief Reyes will aslo be at the ceremony in honor of fallen Palm Springs police officers Jose ‘Gil’ Vega and Leslie Zerebny.
Officials said the Founders Award will be presented as will the Folds of Honor Scholarship.
20th annual City of Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade – 3:30PM downtown Palm Springs
City officials anticipate 20,000 spectators at the parade which kicks off on Palm Canyon Drive at Ramon Road and heads north where it concludes at Alejo Road. The Palm Springs High School Spirit of the Sands Band will perform a post-parade patriotic concert immediately afterward.
Following the concert there will be a fireworks finale.
Officials said this year’s theme is ‘Honoring All Who Served’. Palm Springs is one of 60 events nationwide designated as a regional site for the observance of Veterans Day by the Veterans Day National Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, officials said in the release.
Palm Desert to honor Veterans at Civic Center Park — 11AM
Palm Desert is honoring veterans with a free Veterans Day celebration at Civic Center Park at 11 a.m. Civic Center Park is located at 73510 Fred Waring Drive on the northeast corner of Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue.
City officials said this year’s event will feature speeches from active duty and veteran military service members, including Colonel William H. Vivian, Commanding Officer of the 7th Marine Regiment, a 30-year veteran of the US Marine Corps who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The celebration will also feature a patriotic concert performed by the Heatwave Boys and Girls Club Jazz Band. Attendees are invited to bring blankets and portable chairs to the park’s amphitheater. Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited.
City of Indian Wells to host annual Veterans Day ceremony – 10 AM at Indian Wells City Hall (44950 Eldorado Drive at HWY 111)
The City of Indian Wells will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony with a one-hour tribute beginning at 10 a.m. under the white tent in the city’s Eisenhower Walk of Honor outside Indian Wells City Hall.
Officials said program highlights include keynote speaker Chief Will Coston. Pastor Obed Martinez of Destiny Church will deliver the Invocation and Benediction and a musical performance will take place. The cermony includes the unveiling of names of Indian Wells veterans newly inscribed on the tribute wall of the Eisenhower Walk of Honor.
Veterans, their families and friends across the Coachella Valley, as well as the general public, are invited to attend the ceremony. The event is free and no reservations are required to attend. Officials said parking will be available on Eldorado Drive.
City of La Quinta to honor 32 veterans during ceremony at 9 AM in the City Hall Courtyard
The City of La Quinta will honor 32 veterans on Friday at 9 a.m. in the City Hall Courtyard, located at 78495 Calle Tampico. This year’s ceremony is honoring more veterans than previous years and will aknowledge the brave men and women who have served our country.
Officials said the event is free to attend and will include music by the La Quinta High School Blackhawk Brigade and Doug Hassett.
La Quinta has partnered with the Ophelia Project to display custom made American Flags created by participants of the Ophelia Project. The Palm Springs Air Museum will also provide a fly-over at the event to honor the veterans.
“Veterans Day allows us the chance to celebrate the brave men and women who dedicate themselves to serving our country. The City of La Quinta is thrilled that this year we are able to honor 32 nominees, the most we have had than any of the previous years,” said Marcie Graham, marketing and events supervisor.
The celebration concludes with honorees receiving their names, branch, rank, and years of service engraved in the Veterans Acknowledgement Art piece located at Civic Center Park. The community is invited to attend the event.
