-Editorial
On a beautiful November morning, the El Centro community gathered to honor the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. At 10:00 a.m. on November 11th, a solemn unity enveloped the park, marking the traditional observance of Veterans Day.
The City of El Centro, in collaboration with Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9305, invited the community to honor and celebrate the courage, commitment, and sacrifices of the nation’s veterans at the annual Veterans Day ceremony. The event took place at the Veterans Memorial Wall at Bucklin Park, 1350 S. Eighth St., El Centro.
As the memorial wall’s engraving proclaimed, “Freedom is Not Free,” a message deeply felt by the more than 100 attendees who gathered to pay tribute to veterans and honor those who have passed.
Coordinated with VFW Post 9305, the ceremony provided residents with the opportunity to come together to pay tribute to the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces. The event featured a series of activities and speakers dedicated to honoring veterans, reflecting on their contributions, and recognizing the significance of their service to the nation.
“Today we gathered to give our deepest gratitude to those who have served. To each veteran today, thank you for your courage, dedication, and sacrifice in your service to this nation,” El Centro Mayor Sylvia Marroquin said. “It is because of your selfless service that we can stand here today free and united.”
Local veteran Alfredo Valenzuela spoke about the significance of this day and to those who have served. He asked the audience to remember the disabled veterans who lost a body part during the war defending our freedom.
“Every single man and woman that have donned a U.S. military uniform by their service and sacrifice today is their day to stand tall and be recognized by their grateful nation,” Valenzuela said. “I hope, as we leave today, that we are motivated and inspired by the deeds of those that served, past and present, and lead us to a brighter future armed with a new sense of patriotism and purpose.“
The ceremony concluded with the solemn notes of “Taps,” played by a local bugler, resonating through the park as veterans, families, and community members stood in respectful silence. The echo of the bugle was joined by the powerful reverberation of a 21-gun salute, creating a moment of deep reflection and honor for those who have served.
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, has been celebrated in the United States since November 11, 1919, to mark the end of World War I when the armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany. The day was first observed in 1919, one year after the armistice, at 11 a.m. on November 11, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. military veterans, not just those who served in World War I. Since then, it has been celebrated annually on November 11th.
