Veterans Day - 2015
A DAY TO PAUSE TO THANK THE VETERANS IN YOUR LIFE
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 is Veterans Day - a day to stop and remember the men and women who have served, and are serving, in the armed forces of this wonderful country. In case you're a little confused about what this day represents, click HERE for a site that will tell you what this day is all about.
THINKING OF NEPHEW NATE
Today I will pause to think about my many fellow veterans - my war was the Viet Nam conflict - and will pay special attention to our great-nephew, Nathan Harrison. Nate joined the United States Army following high school to become an infantry soldier and serve in Afghanistan, which is exactly what happened. Nate was a member of the 25th Infantry Division and served a tour in Afghanistan as a rifleman in an infantry squad. He carried a "SAW" - a Squad Automatic Weapon - and was the one with the most fire power in the eight-man squad.
ORANGE COUNTY FAIR AND EVENT CENTER
There will be a FREE celebration of this day at the Orange County Fair and Event Center. Here's the information provided about that event:
More than 7,000 expected at Veterans Day community celebration
Event at OC Fairgrounds is part of statewide “Veterans + Labor – Partners in Service” project sponsored by California’s unions
COSTA MESA
– Southern California’s labor unions invite veterans, their families
and the entire community to the OC Fair & Event Center Nov. 11 for a
FREE community celebration to honor our nation’s heroes.
GREAT AUDIO AND VISUALS:
Military vehicles and gear; live music from the Swing Cats (10-piece
band), the Bob Seger tribute band “Turn the Page” and more; kids making
“Thank you” cards for veterans.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: At 2 p.m., the US Postal Service will host its West Coast unveiling ceremony of a special postage stamp commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War – one of America’s longest conflicts. Vietnam veterans will be in attendance.
FOOD:
Free hot dogs, chips and water for all plus discounted concessions from
OC Market Place and Ovations. Veterans get one (1) free beer.
The
celebration is part of the “Veterans + Labor – Partners in Service”
project. Union members statewide will participate in volunteer projects
and activities culminating with this special FREE Veterans Day community
celebration. Kids can enjoy face painting, bounce houses and games.
This is our third year of hosting the event. In 2014, we more than
doubled our attendance and are expecting a turnout of 7,000 attendees on
November 11.
WHO: Union members, local leaders, other coalition partners and the entire community
WHAT: FREE community celebration to honor veterans
WHEN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 11, 2015
WHERE: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
SERVICES FOR VETERANS:
Union members, community groups and veterans organizations will be on
site to provide resources to veterans, including information about
family-supporting jobs, health insurance benefits, counseling, college
and legal assistance, health screenings and free clothing.
FOOD DRIVE: Please
bring you non-perishable food donations to the event! Last year, we
collected four tons of food for our former military men and women. Last
year, four tons of food were donated.
Other activities include:
VETERANS + LABOR MOTORCYCLE RUN
November 11th, 2015
10:30 am - 1:00 pm
10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Join veterans and union members in a motorcycle ride from the Orange County Labor Federation, 309 N. Rampart St, Orange, CA 92868
to the Veterans Day community celebration at the O.C. Fair & Event
Center! For more information, contact: Gilbert Castillo at gilbertcastillo@teamsterhorseman42.org.
Labels: Nate Harrison, Orange County Fair and Event Center, Veterans Day
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 11/10/2015 11:34:00 PM
7 Comments:
I served my 4 years in the 25th ID during the Vietnam Conflict. I know you enjoyed your time in the Army as well :)
I can appreciate Nate's tour, as well as yours Geoff.
My older brother was a Marine during our Nam period as well. He worked on fighter jets and I served in the Infantry. Of course we joined rather than be drafted.
Have a nice day Mr. West..
AIRBORNE!!
thanks for your service geoff!
Wonderful event. Thank the OCEA for their hard work in brining this event to fruition. These men are truly heros in every sense of the word.
On the other hand, I understand that no one was allowed to cover this event for the city, or even mention it in any way, because there were union members there. Orders from the councilmen. This is the most petty, vindictive and hateful thing I've heard. I have no regard for our councilmen, but this goes beyond the low mark with regards to their actions.
If we don't vote these guys out in November 2016, we deserve this treatment.
WCM-
No!!! Please tell me that the councilmen did not do that! That would be beyond the pale. Any such a decree would be the most petty, vindictive and hateful thing I have heard too. I sincerely hope that is is not true. That would be an example of the wrong-minded culture of negativity that many Vietnam veterans had to deal with when they returned home. What would be the point about silencing the outreach to veterans?
The OCEA event was a great event. I saw veterans from WWII to the Gulf Wars. It was wonderful to have an opportunity such as this for citizens to thank these men and women for their service, and to show appreciation that they volunteered to serve. This event offered the VA a chance to display their Veteran's Services bus; a place for veterans to connect; a place for kids to meet their "heroes" and see how proud Americans display patriotism.
PS A big THANK YOU to all veterans and those currently serving. A big thank you to their families too, for they serve as well.
Teresa, check Costa Mesa Minute. See anything? Check the Community Calendar on the city website. See anything? Righeimer apparently doesn't care much for vets any more than he does the rest of the resident. Its more important to him to try to punish the OCEA than to thank our vets for their service.
In fact, the Costa Mesa Minute for yesterday, November 10th, led off with a nice piece by Dane Bora announcing the celebration at the Fairgrounds... And, the Costa Mesa Police Department Facebook page included a nice piece on Veterans Day with a statement by Chief Sharpnack. Except for a curt note that City Hall would be closed today on the City Calendar there was no other official commentary on this holiday - or the Fairgrounds celebration - that I could find.
I stand corrected. I did not check the police website. L did look all week for times and schedules and missed the announcement. I am glad there was mention made. I met two others who also found nothing. We must've checked before it went up.
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