Veterans Day observances were held throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties Tuesday with Pasadena using its ceremony to honor the late Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Lt. Col. Raymond G. Harvey.
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Harvey was a Chickasaw Indian who lived in Pasadena when he enlisted in the Army in 1939.
During World War II, Harvey served in the 79th Infantry Division, landing in Normandy, France one week after the Invasion of Normandy and participating in the division's campaigns in Northern France and Germany.
Harvey was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (second only to the Medal of Honor), two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts for his World War II service.
He took command of the 7th Infantry Division's Company C, 17th Infantry Regiment shortly after the division landed at Inchon, South Korea, in September 1950.
Harvey was also awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action," when his "company was pinned down by a barrage of automatic weapons fire from numerous well-entrenched emplacements," on March 9, 1951, in the vicinity of Taemi-Dong, South Korea, according to his Medal of Honor citation.
Harvey retired from the Army in 1962. He later was employed by the Northrop Corp., worked as an investment banker, and then served as director of Indian affairs for the Arizona Division of Emergency Services.
Harvey died in 1996 at the age of 76.
The ceremony at Pasadena City Hall began at 10:30 a.m.
The keynote speaker was Associate Justice Eileen C. Moore of the 4th District Court of Appeal. Moore was a combat nurse who served in Vietnam with the Army Nurse Corps.
The ceremony also included family-friendly activities and exhibits curated by the Martin Severance Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, informational booths from the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, the American Legion Posts 13 & 280, and the Rose Bowl Stadium.
The Condor Squadron conducted a flyover in restored North American Aviation AT-6/SNJ trainers originally flown during World War II at 11:11 a.m.
Pasadena Fire Department firefighters served free hot dogs.
The San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade kicked off at 11:11 a.m. at the corner of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and San Fernando Mission Boulevard in Mission Hills, and proceeded south on Laurel Canyon for 1.1 miles to Ritchie Valens Park.
The grand marshals were former U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Martin Lopez, who served from 1992-2010, and former U.S. Army Pvt. Gregory Garcia, who served from 1948-52. The honorary grand marshals were former U.S. Army Pfc. Ronald J. Puga, who served from 1972-74, and former U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Elliott McKenzie, who served from 2003-07.
West Hollywood's Veterans Day ceremony highlighted transgender veterans to acknowledge their service and increased visibility within the veteran community.
The ceremony at the Sal Guarriello Veterans Memorial at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Holloway Drive included the Pledge of Allegiance, a bugler playing taps, a moment of silence followed by "The Star- Spangled Banner" performed by members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles
Veterans and active military members received free meals and ride tickets to Pacific Park at the Veterans Day ceremony on the Santa Monica Pier, which included a flyover by a Chinook helicopter.
The keynote speech was delivered by U.S. Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica Councilman Dan Hall also spoke.
Hall is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, was an Army helicopter pilot in South Korea and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait.
Forest Lawn's 66th annual Veterans Day Celebration was held at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills and included a flyover by the Condon Squadron, patriotic music, an invocation and benediction, a color guard, a wreath laying and family friendly activities.
Capt. LaStacia Neat, aide to the commanding general of the California State Guard, delivered the keynote speech. Los Angeles Councilman John Lee also spoke.
Admission to the Queen Mary in Long Beach was free for veterans, active-duty personnel and their guests. The celebration included live music, hands-on arts and crafts and opportunities to write letters to military members.
Baldwin Park, Carson, Glendale, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance are among the other Los Angeles County cities where Veterans Day events were held.
In Orange County, Fullerton's Veterans Day Parade began at Harbor Boulevard and Ellis Place, marched north on Harbor Boulevard, and concluded at the Hillcrest Park Great Lawn.
A ceremony was held next to the War Memorial. It included placement of wreaths, patriotic solos by Haley Copello, a gun salute by the Fullerton Police Department and the playing of Taps.
The keynote speaker was U.S. Army Capt. Nelson Laracuente, the commander of Able Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda at 11 a.m. Veterans will receive free admission to the museum's galleries.
Other Orange County cities held Veterans Day commemorations include Anaheim, Brea, Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Placentia and Stanton.
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