Cathedral City to Honor Veterans, Fallen Heroes at Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. — Community members, local leaders, veterans and military families will come together Wednesday, November 11, to honor the men and women who have served the United States during Cathedral City’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at Desert Memorial Park, located at 31-705 Da Vall Drive in Cathedral City. The event is free and open to the public.
Sponsored by AMVETS Post 66 and the Jon Castro Chapter of Veterans For Peace, the ceremony will recognize America’s fallen service members, military veterans and families who have lost loved ones in service to the country.
One of the highlights will be the participation of students from Cathedral City Elementary School and Sunny Sands Elementary School. Four students were selected as winners of this year’s “Thank You Letter to Veterans” essay and poetry competition.
Cathedral City Councilmember Rita Lamb will introduce the students as they read their winning entries aloud. Each student will also receive a $100 cash prize in recognition of their work.
The ceremony will feature several community leaders and special guests, including Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem David Ready, Rancho Mirage Mayor Lynn Mallotto and James Apedaile, national president of American Veterans for Equal Rights.
Special recognition will also be given to Gold Star families, whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military. Lee Wilson of the Fallen Heroes Project will introduce family members, who will be invited to share their stories and receive a rose in remembrance of their loved ones.
Other honorees include a Sheriff’s Department deputy, World War II survivor Natalina Garritano, who was rescued by an American Army soldier, and World War II Marine Corps veteran Dorothee Irwin.
Music will also be an important part of the ceremony. Prince Fleet Easton, who has a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame, will perform, while Paul Cain and Kurtt Jacobowitz will sing the National Anthem. Bishop Nick Sakis of Cathedral City will deliver the benediction, and Bryon Wirth will perform Taps.
The annual gathering serves as an opportunity for the community to come together, recognize the sacrifices of military service members and pass the importance of honoring veterans on to the next generation.
Residents are invited to attend and show their appreciation to those who have served.
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