San Jacinto, CA — On November 11, 2024, the City of San Jacinto and Golden Era Productions hosted a memorable Veterans Day ceremony to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The event, held at the Golden Era Golf Course brought the community together to pay tribute to our nation’s veterans with a series of powerful performances and tributes bringing the true meaning of Veterans Day.

“A Truly meaningful ceremony”, said Lester Fountain, Chaplain of the San Jacinto American Legion.

The MC was Henry Sawicki Riverside Sheriff’s Dept retired who carried the event through.

The ceremony kicked off with an amazing aerobatic flyover by Dave Mundwiler that had the crowd on their feet cheering. On the heels of this the Hemet Mounted Posse came across the golf course presenting the colors, setting a respectful tone for the day. As the colors were carried up to the clubhouse, a moving rendition of Scotland the Brave played on the bagpipes, welcoming attendees to the event.

Following the beautiful and meaningful invocation by Deacon Virgal Wolfolk  (who flew out from Missouri especially for this event), the San Jacinto Valley Academy High School Choir captivated the crowd with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, setting the stage for a day of reflection and gratitude.

The ceremony included a rifle exhibition by the award-winning San Jacinto High School R.O.T.C. Their precision and skill demonstrated the discipline and dedication that is instilled in young service members today.

The Hemet High School Jazz Band then performed an impressive medley of military themes, evoking memories of each branch of the military. Their performance added a sense of pride and patriotism to the ceremony, bringing the audience to their feet in appreciation.

“We are incredibly proud to honor our veterans today and every day,” said Mayor Phil Ayala of the City of San Jacinto. “The performances and tributes were a beautiful representation of the dedication, talent, and respect that our community has for the brave men and women who have served.”

Virginia Blumenthal, a distinguished attorney named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the U.S., served as one of the ceremony’s keynote speakers. Blumenthal, whose family has a long history of military service, shared personal stories of her relatives who served in the Armed Forces. She spoke poignantly about what it meant to her, personally, to be part of a family that has dedicated itself to defending freedom. Her emotional speech resonated with all in attendance, reminding the audience of the deep, personal connections veterans and their families share with our nation’s history.

Judge Mark Johnson, a veteran himself and recent author of the book “Scars and Strife”, also spoke at the ceremony. Johnson’s speech was a raw and honest account of the challenges veterans face, not only during their service but also as they return home. His reflections of those trials have on both veterans and their families, were met with deep respect and understanding from the crowd.  Judge Johnson emphasized he was so pleased to see so many youths at the ceremony as they are the future, they carry the torch.

The ceremony also included a special address by San Jacinto Mayor Phil Ayala, who spoke to the often-overlooked sacrifices made by the spouses of veterans. Mayor Ayala recognized the incredible strength and resilience of military spouses, many of whom silently endure the hardships that come with having a loved one in service. In a moving tribute, the Mayor honored 11 local veterans’ spouses for their unwavering support. These men and women were recognized not only by the City of San Jacinto but also by officials from the, the California State Assembly and State Senate. In attendance were the Mayor of San Jacinto Phil Ayala, The Mayor of Hemet Joe Males, San Jacinto Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Vanderver, City Council woman Crystal Ruiz, Representative William Boyd from California State Senator Bough, Representative Misael Tovar-Diaz from California State Assembly Cory Jackson.  

The ceremony concluded with the bagpipe playing Amazing Grace and the playing of Taps while the Riderless Horse walked across the golf course.

“It was truly an honor to bring our community together to celebrate the service of our veterans and their families,” said Lester Fountain Chaplain of the San Jacinto American Legion “The ceremony was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that go beyond the uniform—the sacrifices made by families, friends, and the loved ones who support our heroes every day.”

The event, attended by local veterans, their families, and community members, featured a series of heartfelt speeches, musical tributes, and performances by local student groups, culminating in a powerful display of unity and respect for the men and women who have served. 

For media inquiries or more information about future events, please contact:

Golden Era Golf Course
951-654-0130

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