Cities set Veterans Day commemorations
Those who served U.S. in wars to be honored

By Teresa Rochester (Contact)
Monday, November 10, 2008

Communities throughout Ventura County will honor those who have fought for the country on Veterans Day with ceremonies featuring keynote speakers, music and salutes, stretching from Ventura to Simi Valley.

Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday marks the end of World War I on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

For more than a decade, people have gathered at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park's ceremony, which will feature an address by Holocaust survivor and U.S. Army veteran Bernd Simon.

The event, which begins at 10:30 a.m., will also feature color guards, a flag-raising ceremony, rifle salute and a release of doves. Music will be performed by the Pacific Coast Highlanders Pipe Band.

Terri Taylor Gonzalez, president and general manager of Ivy Lawn, described the moment when the rifles are fired, the bagpipes play and the doves are released as "breathtaking."

"Everyone is always just very thrilled about the presentation," she said, adding that more people are commemorating the holiday. "Each year, Veterans Day gets a little bit bigger."

Pete Duncan, a Vietnam veteran and adjutant for American Legion Post 502 in Moorpark, said he also noticed an increase in attendance at the post's ceremony.

"I think there is great a great deal of awareness, especially with what's going on," Duncan said.

This year's ceremony in Moorpark will feature a ground-breaking for a new veterans memorial near the police station.

The $520,000 memorial will likely take five months to complete and feature a cobblestone walkway that passes through a meadow.

There will be a large round center that can be used as a stage, with a large wall behind it with the insignia of the branches of the armed services and the Merchant Marine, said Mary Lindley, Moorpark's director of parks, recreation and community services.

Veterans Day events

The following Ventura County activities are planned; all take place Tuesday except the Thousand Oaks event.

Camarillo: American Legion Post 741 will host a ceremony, including a guest speaker and remarks by government officials. 11 a.m. at Constitution Park, Paseo Camarillo at Carmen Drive. 482-0860.

Moorpark: At 8 a.m., American Legion Post 502 and Boy Scouts will replace weathered flags at the veterans memorial at Los Angeles and Moorpark avenues.

At 10 a.m., ground breaking will take place at the site of a new veterans memorial next to the police station at 610 Spring Road. 523-3355.

Oxnard: The Veterans Commemorative Committee's annual ceremony will feature music and speeches, including a veteran's perspective by Steve Weber of the American Legion. 11 a.m. at Plaza Park, Fifth and C streets.

The Salvation Army and Kiwanis Club will serve a free continental breakfast starting at 9 a.m. 983-3536.

Santa Paula: A memorial ceremony will include patriotic music by local school groups, a roll call of deceased veterans, placement of a wreath, a rifle salute and refreshments.

The guest speaker is World War II veteran Don McMillan of Santa Paula. 10:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 10th and Ventura streets. 525-3737.

Simi Valley: A ceremony at Veterans Plaza in Rancho Tapo Community Park will feature speakers and a flag ceremony. 11 a.m. at 3700 Avenida Simi. 584-4453.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum's annual celebration will include patriotic music by the Moorpark College Choir, a color guard comprising Sea Cadets from Point Mugu, and a 1 p.m. screening of the film "Air Force One" starring Harrison Ford. The ceremony and movie screening are free. Regular rates apply to view the exhibits; veterans and active military members with ID will be admitted free. 11 a.m. at 40 Presidential Drive. 800-410-8354.

Thousand Oaks: Today, at City Hall, residents can record the military service (name, rank, branch and date of service) of immediate family members in a memorial journal. In future years, visitors will be able to add names the week before Veterans Day. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. 449-2121.

Ventura: Ivy Lawn Memorial Park's annual ceremony will feature a keynote presentation by Simon, a speech by retired Army Col. George Compton, color guards, a flag-raising ceremony and rifle salute, music by the Pacific Coast Highlanders Pipe Band and a release of doves. 10:30 a.m. to noon at 5400 Valentine Road.

An Avenue of Flags, with more than 1,000 casket flags donated by veterans' families, will be on display through Saturday. 642-1055.