INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) – Veterans Day has blossomed into a week long event. Saturday is the traditional day for parades and other observances.

There were remembrance events on some college campuses.

Friday featured a Veterans Day celebration at the Veterans Memorial in Menifee. Some state and county government offices were closed Friday giving workers a 3-day weekend. Classes at most schools were cancelled.

Saturday’s main events included parades in Victorville and Palm Springs. In Moreno Valley, 98-year-old Colonel Earl Williams was the keynote speaker at a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on Frederick Street. Victorville’s Freedom Mile Run took up city streets. In Hemet, a celebration at Gibbel Park included crafts and a car show. In San Jacinto, a fly-over highlighted a Veterans Day ceremony at the Golden Era Golf Course. Palm Springs capped its events with a downtown patriotic concert and fireworks finale.

At the Riverside National Cemetery, A Veterans Day ceremony was held at the cemetery amphitheater.

Riverside plans its 12th annual ‘Salute to Veterans Parade and Expo’ on November 18th.

California is only one of three states with more than a million military veterans.

Veterans Day was established in 1954. It was originally called Armistice Day to mark the end of World War 1.

Story Date: November 17, 2017