A Day of Remembrance
Pasadena Commemorates Veterans Day with Special Celebration
Story and photos by Spc. William Franco Espinosa
69th Public Affairs Detachment
Nov. 11, 2024
PASADENA, Calif. – Veterans and their families filled the seats in front of Pasadena City Hall on a cool Monday morning. Amongst the crowd, many wore vests proudly adorned with ribbons and patches displaying a rich history of experiences and fortitude. Young and old, many chattered about advice and experiences, unique stories in extraordinary events that are found in the pages of history. Anticipating the start of the Veterans Day event, the crowd pays attention to the stage, focusing on the uniformed guest speakers.
The City of Pasadena held its annual Veterans Day Celebration on Monday, November 11, 2024, honoring the service and sacrifice of military veterans. The event took place at Pasadena City Hall and was organized by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department in collaboration with the Pasadena Veterans Committee.
The event featured U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, Chief of Staff for the 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard, as their keynote speaker. He highlighted the dedication of veterans and the importance of their service, remembering their contributions to the nation.
“Today we gather not just to remember the past, but to recognize the enduring spirit of service and sacrifice that our veterans embodied,” said Mora. “Veterans Day is our reminder that freedom… is never free. It has been paid for with the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of our veterans. Generation after generation, whether in distant shores or in our own backyard, they have answered the call of duty often with a great personal cost. Today, we commit ourselves once again in honoring their legacy not just in words, but in action.”
Mora praised the Cadets from the Blair High School’s JROTC program, who supported the event with the presentation of the Colors and a drill team. He recognized them for their “service, understanding that our role is to serve the American people,” and for their “discipline, standing in parade rest, standing at attention, marching, drilling ceremonies, fundamentals of any force and found in all of us who have been there and served,” he said.
“Veterans day is our reminder that freedom… is never free. It has been paid for with blood, sweat, and sacrifice of our veterans. Generation after generation, whether in distant shores or in our own backyard, they have answered the call of duty often with a great personal cost. Today we commit ourselves once again in honoring their legacy not just in words, but in action.”
This year’s ceremony included a tribute to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Corps Regiment, which Pasadena adopted on November 25, 2013. The regiment has been deployed for a year-long deployment, and a special Yellow Ribbon ceremony was held in their honor. The Pasadena Scottish Pipes and Drums treated the audience with an iteration of “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon,” a symbolic song that pays tribute to veterans and service members alike.
Pasadena Scottish Pipes and Drums perform “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon” during Veterans Day in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
Pasadena Scottish Pipes and Drums perform “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon” during Veterans Day in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
At 11:11 a.m., a fleet of four AT-6 airplanes piloted by the Condor Squadron flew over the event location. The specialized aerial team is a non-profit organization founded in 1965 by a group of WWII fighter pilots and now piloted by current members. They honored the traditional 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the signing of the armistice that ended World War I.
The Condor Squadron also conducted a “Missing Man Formation” that involves one of the airplanes to break away from the formation. The missing plane symbolizes and honors service members who are missing in action. According to the Department of Defense, it is estimated that about 80,000 American service personnel are missing from previous conflicts and 38,000 are estimated to be recoverable.
The National League of Families POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/ Missing in Action) flag, which acknowledges the concern of families with missing service members and the commitment to find them, was present with the colors marched by the Blair High School’s JROTC cadets.
“Today we gather not just to remember the past,
but to recognize the enduring spirit of service
and sacrifice that our veterans embodied.”
The event held exhibitions with military artifacts and historical displays organized by the California State Guard and the Military Museum. The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Pasadena Police Department provided information for those interested in military or police service. Pasadena Fire Fighters Local 809 provided free freshly grilled hot dogs for all those who attended.
Pasadena’s annual Veterans Day celebration not only honored the bravery of service members but also highlighted Pasadena’s deep appreciation for its veterans and created a space for the community to come together, reflect on the sacrifices of veterans, and celebrate their service.
“To all the veterans with us here today, to those who are no longer with us, and those still in service wearing the uniform, we say thank you. We honor your sacrifice, your dedication, your courage. May we always remember, may we always give thanks, and may we always strive to live up to the examples you have set. God bless our veterans, God bless Pasadena and our great state of California, and may God bless the United States of America,” said Mora.
City of Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and California State Guard Capt. William Paparian, Master of Ceremonies, listen to U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, California Army National Guard, during Veterans Day in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
City of Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and California State Guard Capt. William Paparian, Master of Ceremonies, listen to U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, California Army National Guard, during Veterans Day in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
JROTC Cadets from Pasadena's Blair High School march the Colors during the Veterans Day Event in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
JROTC Cadets from Pasadena's Blair High School march the Colors during the Veterans Day Event in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
JROTC Cadets from Blair High School pose in front of the Colors on Veterans Day in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
JROTC Cadets from Blair High School pose in front of the Colors on Veterans Day in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
City of Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, California Army National Guard, poses for a photo at the Veterans Day ceremony in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
City of Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, California Army National Guard, poses for a photo at the Veterans Day ceremony in Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, Chief of Staff, 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard, speaks with members of the American Legion Pasadena at Pasadena City Hall, Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024. The city of Pasadena commemorated veterans on their Veterans Day Event and invited Col. Mora of the 40th Infantry Division as their keynote speaker.
U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, Chief of Staff, 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard, speaks with members of the American Legion Pasadena at Pasadena City Hall, Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024. The city of Pasadena commemorated veterans on their Veterans Day Event and invited Col. Mora of the 40th Infantry Division as their keynote speaker.
Cadets of the JROTC program from Blair High School Pasadena present the Colors during the Veterans Day Event at Pasadena City Hall, Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024. Cadets from the JROTC program marched the colors of the various branches of the U.S. military during the Veterans Day Event honoring all who served.
Cadets of the JROTC program from Blair High School Pasadena present the Colors during the Veterans Day Event at Pasadena City Hall, Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024. Cadets from the JROTC program marched the colors of the various branches of the U.S. military during the Veterans Day Event honoring all who served.
U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, Chief of Staff, 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard, shakes hands with cadets from the JROTC program from Blair High School Pasadena, Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024. Cadets from the JROTC program marched the colors of the various branches of the U.S. military during the Veterans Day Event honoring all who served.
U.S. Army Col. Juan M. Mora, Chief of Staff, 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard, shakes hands with cadets from the JROTC program from Blair High School Pasadena, Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024. Cadets from the JROTC program marched the colors of the various branches of the U.S. military during the Veterans Day Event honoring all who served.
Attendees for the Veterans Day event congregate in front of the Pasadena City Hall, Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
Attendees for the Veterans Day event congregate in front of the Pasadena City Hall, Pasadena, Calif., Nov. 11, 2024.
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