Hemet Veteran's Day Memorial Celebration

Hemet will host a Veterans Day observance Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial at Gibbel Park.

The day will start at 9 a.m. with an opening ceremony that will include an address by state Sen. Bill Emmerson.

Also scheduled for the opening ceremony are proclamation presentations to Sgt. Maj. William John Roy, who has more than 37 years of active duty in the Army, and Fermin Rios, a Marine veteran of the battle for Iwo Jima during World War II.

To mark the moment the WorlAmerican Legion Post 53 will assist with presentation of colors. The national anthem will be sung by retired Marine veteran Charles Jackson.

Interim Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown will play Taps. Also participating in the opening ceremony will be the Tahquitz High School ROTC and the Hemet High School Jazz Band.

In the park after the ceremony, visitors will be able to view exhibits of personnel and equipment from the Marines, Army, Coast Guard, and National Guard.

The Hemet Police and Fire departments will also exhibit equipment, and the Police Department will present several K-9 demonstrations.

And, I understand that a fly-over is also scheduled.

Visitors will also be able to make thank-a-veteran cards that will be distributed at the Veteran's Hospital in Loma Linda.

Vendors will sell military and other merchandise.

The day will end at 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, Riverside National Cemetery will commemorate Veterans Day at 11 a.m. Nov. 11.

The program will include keynote speaker Kathy Azevedo, a Norco City Council member; military honors by the Riverside National Cemetery Memorial Honor Detail; patriotic music by the Riverside Concert Band and vocalists; and flyovers of current and vintage military aircraft.

The cemetery is at 22495 Van Buren Blvd. in Riverside. For information, call 653-8417.