Quilts of Valor were presented at last year’s Veterans Day observance to Michael Hewitt, Bob Boytor, William Jones and Johnny Hephner. Quilts will be presented again this year at both the Arrowhead Ridge event and one at MacKay Park on Nov. 12. (File photo by Mary-Justine Lanyon_

It’s a Veterans Day trifecta

By Michael Brewer
Special to The Alpine Mountaineer

What an elevated and reverent three-day run this is going to be.
Our mountain is infused with respect and recognition of its veterans and we have plenty of them. There are days when I think that we must have more veterans per capita than most areas in the state.
The three-day run of events will kick off with the traditional Marine Corps birthday celebration on Nov. 10. This is the third year of its being hosted by Andrew Divoff, the owner of Three Marm Brewing Co. at 23555 Knapps Cutoff in Crestline.
The 247th birthday celebration is sponsored by the Victor Valley Marine Corps League #1383. Several of its members are mountain residents. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with a celebration at 7:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Guests can order off the menu.
There is no formal dress code but Marine gear if you are one is always alluring. The formal cake cutting with the oldest and youngest Marines will be the only formal event.
Nov. 10, 1775, is the official founding date of the United States Marine Corps. It is this day that the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines. Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Penn., is regarded as the birthplace of the Corps and the location where the first Marines enlisted to serve under Commandant Samuel Nicholas. The recognition and celebration have been ongoing since 1925.
On this day we unofficially sanction Three Marm as “Tun Tavern West.” For more information, send an email to [email protected].
Veterans Day, Nov. 11
The traditional Veterans Day observance will take place on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Arrowhead Ridge on Golf Course Road in Lake Arrowhead.
Sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 9624, participants will include the American Legion Post 360 color guard and the Knights of Columbus Color Corps honor guard.
Both the Mountain Fifes & Drums Corps and the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Choir will participate. The keynote speaker will be Vietnam Veteran Joe Aquino, commander of VFW Post 9624.
The winners of the local Patriot’s Pen essay contest and the Voice of America speech contest will be introduced. In addition, five local veterans will receive Quilts of Valor.
Also on Nov. 11, SkyPark at Santa’s Village will offer free park admission to veterans and active-duty service members. Their friends and family will receive 50 percent off day passes when accompanied by a qualifying guest. The veteran or service member must provide proof of service.
These guests will have access to the mountain bike trails, hiking, rock climbing, archery, ax throwing and more. Park hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the bike trails closing at 5 p.m.
A short history of Veterans Day
An armistice between Allied nations and Germany came into existence on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. On that day, armistice was commemorated for the first time. Most of America suspended business activity at 11 a.m.
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared the day should be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.” This day was originally intended to honor WWI veterans. A few years later, World WarII required the largest mobilization of service members in the history of the United States and then American forces were sent to fight in Korea.
In 1954 the veteran service organizations asked Congress to change the word “armistice” to “veterans.” The change was made on June 1, 1954. Since then, Nov. 11 has become the day to pay tribute to all American veterans, wherever and whenever they have served.
The Encore Event: Nov. 12
On Nov. 12, the Rim of the World Veterans Outreach will sponsor a Salute to American Heroes/Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans celebration. The event will take place at MacKay Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Six Quilts of Valor will be awarded to local veterans. There will be music with Taps and Armed Forces melodies.
Lunch will be provided compliments of Vet Hunters.
In the event of bad weather, the event will move indoors to the Lake Arrowhead Community Presbyterian Church at 351 Highway 173, just outside Lake Arrowhead Village.
For further information, call (760) 550-8083.