Groups, band will celebrate veterans

Huntington Beach will give its veterans a full rifle salute, a send-up from the Huntington Beach High School band and speeches from city, state and federal officials at the city’s official Veterans’ Day ceremony Sunday.

Veterans groups including the American Legion Post 133, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11548, and Jewish War Veterans Post 595 are working together with the city to put on the event. The observance will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday at Pier Plaza.

New for the ceremony this year is the school band, said its organizer Ned Metsch, a past commander of the American Legion.

Veterans are given a lot of respect these days, said Metsch, who served in the Korean War.

“The veterans seem to be more revered than they may have been 10 years ago,” he said. “Now all of a sudden our people in Iraq and Afghanistan are considered heroes. Women are not afraid to be seen out with a uniformed soldier.”

In addition to the celebration, former Huntington Beach Police Chief Ron Lowenberg, who is now dean of the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center, will talk about his college’s Returning Combat Veterans Scholarship Program, which assists returning soldiers in making the transition to civilian life by getting new training as law enforcement officers.

As wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continue, veterans’ groups are looking hard at ways to reach out to a new set of potential members.

“[The American Legion is] putting all their posts on alert that these people are leaving the service and we should get them as members,” Metsch said.

“It’s good for them to become part of us. The bigger we are, the more we’re heard and the more we can accomplish for other veterans.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Huntington Beach Veterans Day Ceremony

WHERE: Pier Plaza at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway

WHEN: 11 a.m., Sunday

INFO: Call program director Ned Metsch at (714) 962-0780

COST: Free