Veterans Day drew crowd to Reagan Library for a flyover, Iwo Jima flag-raising
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s annual Veterans Day Event on Monday Nov. 11 in Simi Valley honored the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The event included a flyover by the Condor Squadron that wowed the crowd.
And especially for families and children, there was music including the widely known Santa Susana High School vocal ensemble Abbe Road A Cappella, and the beautiful notes of Simi Valley’s Royal High School wind ensemble.
Esther Horowitz-Perez lets out a smile while trying on a military helmet during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Historic Unit of Southern California recreate the Iwo Jima Flag Raising during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Youngsters look on as Civil War reenactors discuss the Civil War during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Richard Welton joins members of the Historic Unit of Southern California as they recreate the Iwo Jima Flag Raising during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A youngster creates patriotic artwork during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
The Condor Squadron performs a flyover during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Retired U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer-4 Randy Gaddo speaks during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Civil War reenactors discuss the artifacts from the Civil War during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Civil War reenactor Chris Ricker shows off ammunition used in the Civil War during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
David Michaels talks to veterans while portraying President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
The Project: Peace by Piece Orchestra performs during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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Esther Horowitz-Perez lets out a smile while trying on a military helmet during the annual Veterans Day Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
On a somber note, members of the Historical Unit of Southern California recreated the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. The program hosted by Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute honored all branches of the U.S. military, including reenactors from Washington Artillery of New Orleans. Volunteers collected letters for U.S. troops, and Naval Base Ventura County construction battalion vehicles were on display.
Religion events in the San Fernando Valley, Nov. 9-16
Remembering the horrors that faced the Armed Forces, the keynote speaker was U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer-4 Randy Gaddo (Ret.) In October 1983, Gaddo was in Beirut with the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit as part of a multination peacekeeping force when terrorists drove a truck bomb into the U.S. barracks, killing 240 U.S. servicemen. According to the institute, “Being one of the lucky ones to not be hurt, he was part of the crew who helped look for survivors, clean up the bomb site, and retrieve the fallen.”