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Pasadena will pause today to honor military veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our country and featured speaker Colonel Quintin Jones will also acknowledge current American heroes including first responders during a special ceremony at Pasadena City Hall.
The 10:30 a.m. event is open to the public and will conclude with a close formation low-altitude military flyover of the Condor Squadron.
Featured speaker Col. Jones is Commanding Officer of 23d Marine Regiment stationed in San Bruno, California.
He is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. He completed his undergraduate education in 1998 at the United States Naval Academy.
Jones’s assignments include Operating Force tours in the 2nd and 3rd Marine Divisions. He has commanded units at every level from platoon to regiment and also served as an Executive Officer, Operations Officer and Commanding Officer, according to the website of the Marine Corps Forces Reserve.
“I’ll talk about how the strength derived from who we are is channeled to a common purpose in the defense of our great country.”
“I’ll talk about our shared way of life and all that we hold so dear.”
In his speech, Jones will also thank veterans and their families and speak about how the nation can do its part to never forget veterans whom he regard as “defenders of our liberties.”
“I’m eternally grateful to all those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation,” he said.
For Jones, it is important to not just acknowledge military veterans during Veterans Day but also first responders and public servants who put their lives on the line to keep people safe.
“It’s important to acknowledge those sacrifices that they have – the missed birthdays, anniversaries, so forth and so on – day in and day out to protect us and keep us safe.”
“For me personally, [Veterans Day] signifies a day to acknowledge and think and share stories of all the sacrifices of those who have raised their right hand in defense of our nation so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today.”
The ceremony will feature the Blair High School band, which will play the anthems of each branch of the armed forces, and Blair’s Junior ROTC, which will provide the color guard.
In a tribute to Gold Star families, or families of a fallen service member who died while serving, Pasadena Scottish Pipes & Drums will play “Amazing Grace.”
Mayor Victor Gordo will give remarks and Chaplain Randy McConnell, California State Guard Chaplain will provide the benediction at the ceremony.
Other ceremony activities include a display from the California State Guard Military Museum Command, children’s arts and crafts, free food, and more.
Those at home can watch the Veterans Day ceremony on KPAS TV, Charter Spectrum Channel 3, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, Pasadena Media Website, OTT Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV Pasadena Media apps.
Rerun dates and times will be posted at www.pasadenamedia.org/arroyo.
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