Pasadena Pauses to Honor Its Veterans Today

Pasadena pauses today to honor its veterans with a special ceremony at City Hall which takes place both on the ground and in the air.

The 10:30 a.m. event in Centennial Square at 100 N. Garfield Ave. is open to the public and will conclude with a special fly-over by the “Condor Squadron” of World War II T-6 planes in formation at 11:11 a.m sharp.

“There is a connection and a respect for the armed forces that I think is very, very palpable in Pasadena. It’s important that we pause on Veterans Day to remember the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in the past and who are currently serving in the armed forces,” said former Pasadena Mayor and Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veteran Bill Paparian.

The guest speaker will be Brigadier General (CA) David G. Smith, Special Assistant to the Commander, California State Guard (CSG), California Military Department, where he supports Title 32 actions for the readiness, effectiveness, and integration of the CSG with the California Army and Air National Guard. 

Additionally, he is the Director of the Air Force Production and Flight Test Facility, Plant 42. 

CSG Chaplain Major (CA) Brenda Threatt will provide the Invocation and the Benediction.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger will speak. 

The 50-member Pasadena City College band will play the anthems of each branch of the Armed Forces, as is customary.

The Pasadena Scots Pipes and Drums will play “Amazing Grace” in a tribute to the Gold Star Families in attendance. 

The Blair High School Junior ROTC will provide the Honor Guard. 

The Condor Squadron will do a close formation low altitude military flyover at 11:11 a.m.

Past Veterans Day ceremonies in Pasadena have seen City Councilmembers, Pasadena City College veteran students, members of the Pasadena Police and Fire Departments and Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Division, USMC, based in Pasadena at the event.

Members of the Pasadena Navy League, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 446 in Pasadena, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the American Legion Pasadena Post 13 are expected to be joining the ceremonies in honor of all veterans here and across the nation.

“The City of Pasadena is extremely supportive of veterans. Hopefully, everyone who comes out and is not a veteran will leave with a newfound appreciation for us,” Army veteran and President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 446 Alan Stelzer once told Pasadena Now.

There are approximately 40,000 veterans in the San Gabriel Valley alone, according to Veterans of Foreign Wars representative Dave Loera.

Thirty-one soldiers from Pasadena are documented as killed and/or missing in action during the Vietnam War.

The public is invited to attend today’s event.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, face coverings are required. Please stay home if you feel sick, even if symptoms are mild. Viewers can access the broadcast Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. on KPAS TV, Charter Spectrum Channel 3, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 or online at www.pasadenamedia.org/channel/kpas.