Honor veterans at next week’s Veterans Day Ceremony

Canyon Lakers are invited to honor those who have served their country at the 7th annual Veterans Day Ceremony next Wednesday, November 11, at 10 a.m. in the upper level of the Towne Center. Pastries and coffee will be served prior to the ceremony. The War Birds West planes will conduct a flyover early in the program.

Serving as master of ceremonies will be Michelle Wynn (retired Navy). The Elsinore High School Flying Tiger Jr. ROTC will post the colors, and Eagle Scout Jasen Williams will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Canyon Lake Choraleers will join the crowd in singing the National Anthem.

Jill Batinich will give a presentation called “United States: 150 Years of War” in which she will mention those who fought in each war from the Revolutionary War to the war in Afghanistan. Doreen Harrison will be the keynote speaker. Doreen represents Honor Flight, a non-profit organization that flies veterans to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials (www.honorflight.org).

Special music will include patriotic songs by the Choraleers. As in past years, veterans of all five service branches will be encouraged to stand during the singing of their service anthems. DJ Mike Shroyer also will provide patriotic music and the playing of Taps when representatives deliver the wreath and roses to the Veterans Monument.

Other special activities in the ceremony will be a performance by the Temescal Canyon High School Drum Line and a free drawing, for veterans only, to win a “Quilt of Valor” created by the Quilters Dozen.

The Chamber of Commerce has contributed 200 flags, which will fly in the “Field of Honor” around the Veterans Monument. Residents are invited to purchase a flag in honor of a loved one. (See adjacent article.) The Veterans Day Committee will have commemorative merchandise available for purchase before and after the ceremony.

Over the weekend, a flag will be delivered to every veteran and active duty service person registered with the City.