More than 120 military veterans, families and patriotic Americans gathered for a Veteran’s Day celebration at Chula Vista’s Memorial Bowl.
The event, put on by the Veterans of Foreign War Post 211 and the American Legion Post 434, started promptly at 11 a.m. to symbolize the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.
The crowd, filled with mothers and fathers, recounted war stories of their ancestors to their younger children, as well as discussing the importance of Veteran’s Day.
Boy Scout troops handed out programs and American flags as they looked on and watched those in attendance salute veterans of the past and present.
Desert Storm veteran Lt. Daniel Larsen from Murrieta was the keynote speaker.
Larsen recited Ronald Regan’s 1985 Veteran’s Day radio remarks, because he said 29 years later the speech still rings true.
Larsen also told those in attendance that military personnel play a vital role in society despite being out numbered.
“As many of us in attendance here today know that not even 1 percent of our population in the United States will ever raise their right hand and swear themselves to this fine nation,” he said. “With this in mind we are truly the minorities in this nation, but we set the standards for our civilians to follow.”
The itinerary of the day included a moment of silence for fallen servicemen and women, tolling of the bells and the dedication of a wreath.
The tolling of the bell signified the name of Chula Vistans who died in combat.
For Richard Anderson, a U.S. Marine veteran who fought in the Vietnam war, the tolling of the bells was an emotional moment.
“When they were reading off names I was thinking of a lot of people that I knew over there (in Vietnam) that didn’t make it (back home), he said.
Mayor Cheryl Cox was also in attendance. “I think it is always wonderful for a community to protect its heritage, to protect democracy,” Cox said.
Cox also said the Chula Vista community always goes out of its way to honor military veterans. “This is a contribution to our community and I think what this ceremony did is a consistent reminder on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the year that we stop and say our thanks.
