Parades, band concerts and a range of other festivities celebrated Veterans Day this year throughout the Inland Empire.
The cities of San Bernardino and Riverside celebrated the annual national recognition of military service with events Saturday, while other IE cities scheduled events for the official holiday on Tuesday. Nov. 11 is the traditional observance of Veterans Day in the United States — Armistice Day marked the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.
The event in Riverside highlighted marching bands, equestrian units, color guards, military vehicles, classic cars, floats, and the city’s local veterans.
The Parade began at Riverside Community College and proceeded up Magnolia Avenue straight into the downtown area. Spectators lined Market, 10th and Main streets. The Parade Expo had booths, food, music and lots of fun, organizers said.
Photos and other information about the event is online at asalutetoveteran.org.
San Bernardino residents and visitors gathered for a Veterans Day celebration and resource fair at the Court Street Square downtown.
The ceremony included the recognition of four “distinguished local hometown heroes, veterans whose service to our country was particularly distinguished,” according to a social media post by the city. This year’s honorees were Army Staff Sgt. Ching Lee Trechard, Air Force Tech Sgt. Allen Seymor, Army Staff Sgt. Elsie M. Fallin-Paulino and Army veteran Dorothy Norman.
Veterans in attendance received a “challenge coin” in recognition of their service, event organizers said.
“As part of the coin ceremony, each veteran was personally thanked by Mayor Tran, City Council members Theodore Sanchez, Fred Shorett, Kim Knaus, Mario Flores, Congressman Pete Aguilar, County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. and Jose Mendoza of the San Bernardino Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans,” according to the city.
Disabled American Veterans along with Arrowhead United Way, Inland Empire Military Museum, National Veterans Chamber of Commerce and the IEMVPA, helped produce the event.
Flabob Airport
Airplane rides, displays of military equipment, live music and entertainment for kids were among the activities Saturday at Flabob Airport’s annual Salute to Veterans Celebration.
Several thousand spectators were expected for the daylong event, which got started at 9 a.m., organizers said.
The event began with a group skydiving exhibition directly over the airfield. Then an honor guard ceremony and parade saluted members of the U.S. military, officials said. The UC Riverside Pipe & Drum Band performed patriotic music during the ceremony.
The event featured military reenactors, a vintage biplane for ticketed airplane rides around the Riverside metropolitan area and Jurupa Valley.
A petting zoo, displays of past military hardware, raffles, a beer garden, an antique car show and a range of kids’ games were part of the the eclectic event, that also featured live music by jazz, rock and new wave bands.
Food vendors were available, as well as personnel from local agencies that provide assistance to veterans seeking to apply for services, according to the airport.
Festivities were slated to wrap up about 4 p.m.
More information is available at flabobairport.org/veteranscelebration.
Murrieta’s Veterans Day Parade
America’s fighting men and women were honored Tuesday at Murrieta’s 23rd annual Veterans Day Parade that featured present and past members of the military, marching bands, public safety personnel and civic leaders.
The parade started at 10 a.m. near Ivy Street and Washington Avenue, passed through the downtown area along Washington Avenue with the final destination of Town Square Park, where the Field of Honor is displayed at Adams Avenue and Kalmia Street.
Each November, the Field of Honor serves as a memorial to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice lost their lives while in the U.S. Armed Services. The Field of Honor also serves as a salute to people who have completed service or remain on active duty.
The field includes sections for Medal of Honor recipients, military personnel from Riverside and San Bernardino counties who have been killed in the line of duty since 2003, historical flags, a flag dedicated to those who were killed in the 9/11 terror attacks and state flags, according to the Rotary Club of Murrieta. The club annually presents the field in association with Old Town Temecula and the city.
This was the field’s 17th year with more than 2,000 3-by-5-foot American flags on display through Friday. Chalk art work around the field emphasizes the contributions provided by service members, their families and others during wartime.
Further information is available at murrietarotaryclub.org.
Desert Hot Springs Veterans Day ceremony
Desert Hot Springs officials hosted the city’s annual Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday at Veterans Park.
The public ceremony was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at 10101 Palm Drive.
The program was set to feature a flyover provided by the Palm Springs Air Museum and participants ranging from veterans to local leaders and community members.
Participating guests were scheduled to include Marine Bagpiper Joel M. Daniel, a presentation of colors by Desert Hot Springs High School MCJROTC, the national anthem performed by Candess Tarrant and an invocation from Bishop Marty Webster. U.S. Army Purple Heart recipient Senior Airman Eric Sanchez led a plaque dedication, and Mayor Scott Matas gave closing remarks.
“Veterans Day reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy every day were not given — they were earned through the courage and sacrifice of those who served,” Matas said. “Desert Hot Springs is proud to stand with our veterans today and every day.”
Updated Nov. 12, 2025, 11:14 a.m.
