Santa Monica will partner with the U.S. Army for its sixth annual Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. on the Santa Monica Pier's west parking deck, featuring military performances, a Chinook helicopter flyover and recognition of Palisades Fire recovery heroes.
Veterans Day honors all those who have served the country in war or peace. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorates the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.
The free public event will include remarks from senior military leaders and local elected officials. General Bryan P. Fenton, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers include retired Army Colonel Otto Padron, Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Councilmember Dan Hall, an Army veteran
The ceremony will begin with a posting of colors by JROTC cadets from James Monroe High School. Master Sergeant Keith Beyer will perform the national anthem, while Miss USO Heidi-Marie Ferren will sing "God Bless America." Coulson Aviation will conduct the Chinook helicopter flyover during the proceedings.
The event will include a presentation of awards to individuals who aided in Palisades Fire recovery efforts and a future soldier swearing-in ceremony led by Major General Jeffrey Smiley, Commanding General of the California Army National Guard.
Veterans and active military members will receive free ride tickets courtesy of Pacific Park and free meals provided by Meals on Wheels, which will also share information about meal resources. Music and entertainment will be provided by 95.5 KLOS through Meruelo Media.
"Veterans Day is not just a day on the calendar — it is a living reminder of the courage, sacrifice and steadfast devotion that have preserved our freedom for generations," said Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Sonki Hong, who organized the event. "Every veteran carries within them a story of honor and resilience, and through their service, they have written the very definition of patriotism."
Hong added that the ceremony represents a united expression of gratitude for those who served the nation.
Additionally, a Veterans Day Freedom Run is scheduled in Santa Monica the weekend after Veterans Day. The run offers 5K, 10K and half-marathon distances at Palisades Park on Saturday, Nov. 15. Open to all ages, the event includes a virtual run option for those who prefer to honor veterans remotely. Participants receive commemorative T-shirts and medals and can fundraise for veterans' charities.
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will honor America's veterans with a special display on its iconic Ferris wheel, featuring a 90-foot-tall animated American flag and the seals of all five U.S. Armed Services.
The lighting program will showcase more than 174,000 computer-controlled LED lights in vibrant patriotic red, white and blue colors and patterns, creating a display visible across the coastline. The tribute will run from sunset, about 4:53 p.m., to midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
At the Santa Monica Veterans Memorial on Ocean Avenue just south of Arizona Avenue in Palisades Park, a less official ceremony has been held for more than 20 years by John Medlin.
At 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, the shadows of the obelisks for each branch of service line up precisely with concrete markings on the ground. John Medlin leaves a rose at the foot of the obelisk for each branch and calls out, "Veterans Attention. Present Arms." After holding the salute for 20 seconds, he orders "Order Arms."
“Various Veterans from the U.S. and other countries have joined me over the years,” he said. “Some civilians have also been present. I’ve been doing this ceremony for over twenty years and it still chokes me up.”
Venice does not have a dedicated government-run Veterans Day ceremony in 2025, but the spirit of remembrance is evident through community tributes. Venice's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Mural on Pacific Avenue bears the names of 2,273 fallen service members from the Vietnam War. After a major restoration unveiled in 2022, the mural remains a site where locals and visitors pay respects on Veterans Day, often leaving flowers or flags. Small groups of veterans sometimes gather at the mural in personal reflection.