7th Annual Veterans Sunset Ceremony Honors Local Veterans

As the day entered late afternoon on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, the city of Moreno Valley welcomed and honored local veterans to the 7th Annual Veterans Day Sunset Ceremony. Each year at about 3:30 p.m. community members, city officials, local youth, veterans of all United States military branches and this year’s featured speaker Senator Richard D. Roth gathered at Moreno Valley Veterans Memorial for the same purpose: to honor those who have served. The ceremony started with a musical number by the Moreno Valley Master Chorale, singing patriotic songs. As residents piled in, the ceremony kicked off with Mayor Jesse Molina welcoming attendees to the event. Molina thanked everyone who served and by pointed out some in the audience who have served, encouraging them to stand up so everyone could applaud them. Molina added, “I promised my dad something, who has Alzheimer’s… he was a wounded Korean War veteran and I told him I would mention his name. His name is Frank V. Molina.” Pastor James E. Owens of New Beginnings Fellowship joined Mayor Molina at the podium to share a prayer with the audience. Semper Fi #1 Memorial Honor Detail then performed the Presentation of Colors before Mayor Pro Tem Victoria Baca joined the podium to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Before inviting keynote speaker Senator Roth to the podium, Molina announced a music presentation performed by Tuning Sounds, local youth violinists. Noemy Orellana-Wheeler lead to the young violinists, then performed a solo song. Senator Roth, 31st State Senate District, is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General and served for 32 years in the Judge Advocate General Corps. Senator Roth spoke about a couple veterans who have made a difference. “This day is for all of us to remember those gave us and continue to give us the life that we live today,” he said, many audience members chiming in with agreement. "Not all who served are famous or became famous as a result of their actions and not all who served received a citation but frankly all are heroes in my book,” Roth added. He also touched on the unacceptable amount of homeless veterans in California, specifically. Senator Senator Roth explained all should pledge to help care for those veterans in need of shelter and health and educational services. Senator Roth concluded, “It’s not lost on me that without you we would have no democracy. Without you there would be no freedom. And we all know without freedom, well, not much else matters.” Semper Fi #1 Memorial Honor Detail then presented the Flag Folding Ceremony while explaining what each fold of the American flag represents. The Knights of Columbus of A.F. Chelbana Assembly closed the ceremony up with the laying of the wreath. After the ceremony, everyone was welcome to stay for light refreshments.