The Veterans Day Observance, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2111, American Legion Post 434 and the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 61, will honor all veterans on Nov.11 from 11 a.m. to noon at Chula Vista Memorial Park Bowl, 373 Park Way.
The event will have Chula Vista’s Deputy Mayor John McCann as a guest speaker.
“It is important for us to honor our brave soldiers and sailors for keeping us free and safe for so many years,” McCann said. “I’m honored to be the guest speaker at this event, and I feel we should make Veterans Day every day.”
McCann, having served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, is a veteran of the Iraq war.
During the event each of the three veterans service organizations will have a color guard marching to salute the flags.
Jayme Lachner, president of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 61, said the event is a way for the public to honor those who served their country.
“Veterans Day for me is for honoring any vet that served,” she said. “A lot of them (veterans) didn’t have the choice back in the day to serve (as they were drafted), so it really is thanking those that came out and did what they had to do when we really, really needed them. As far as my generation goes, we’re all volunteers.”
Lachner, 33, will for the first time be participating in the event representing the Fleet Reserve Association.
Lachner is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She spent four years in the Navy on the USS Ronald Regan from 2004 to 2008.
After the hour long ceremony, the public is welcome to a reception with food and camaraderie at the VFW Post 2111 at 299 I St.
Lachner said she encourages everyone one to come out to Memorial Park Bowl on Veterans Day.
“Just come out and see it,” she said. “It’s a great chance to get involved with the community.
