Hundreds gather for Veteran’s Day ceremony

More than two hundred people gathered on Monday for Veteran’s Day ceremonies at Palmdale’s Poncitlan Square.
For several of those in attendance, it was the second Veterans Day event of the morning, as they also attended a ceremony at the Veterans Court of Honor at the Lancaster Cemetery.
Palmdale Councilman Eric Ohlsen, a US Coast Guard veteran, served as master of ceremonies.
“As a veteran myself, I know that service to our country and our community isn’t just our enlistment; it’s a lifelong dedication,” Ohlsen said. “And it’s proof that you’re here today because you care about your community; you care about your country and Palmdale cares about you and we will honor your legacy always. We are a strong defense community, and we are extremely proud of that.”
Guest speaker US Navy veteran Fred Barthé, the City of Palmdale’s 2024 Tom Hilzendeger Veteran of the Year, said there about 35,000 veterans in the Antelope Valley.
“There are more organizations than you can possibly imagine to help the veteran,” he said. “The veteran has to put forth a little effort on their own — look for a hand up, not a hand out. Most of us do that and have done in the past.”
Barthé talked about his service, which included service in the Coast Guard, and encouraged those in the audience to thank a veteran if they see one.
“Realize what he has gone through,” he said. “Mine was a joy ride compared to some. But to all veterans, thank you so much for your service and welcome home.”
Quartz Hill Young Marines Master Sgt. Hunter Alan Gomez did the Pledge of Allegiance. Gomez also unveiled his veteran appreciation plaque project. The black and gold plaque features the emblems of the six US military branches — Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force — and the message “To all who have served, are currently serving, and will serve in our United States of America Armed Forces. We humbly thank you for your honor, courage, and commitment to protecting the freedom of our great nation.”
Gomez has earned 44 of the 57 accolades available to young Marines. He has worked on the plaque for the past two years, collecting donations from the city and local businesses, including Westside Auto and Paint, The Shop, Graphic Experience and Quartz Hill Barbershop.
He intends to attend Antelope Valley College to earn an associate of science degree in computer science before he joins the US Marines.
“This plaque is dedicated to the veterans of the past, present and future,” Gomez said. “This basically symbolizes the entirety of veterans’ appreciation.”
The US Army Color Guard did the presentation of colors. Alex Money from the city sang the National Anthem. Pastor Peter Mordh of the New Life Church gave the invocation.
Councilwoman Andrea Alarcón said the city would do as much as it could to support its veterans as well as the nonprofit organizations that serve them.
“As somebody who comes from a veteran family — my brother served, my grandfather served, my great-grandfather served — I want to take a moment to say thank you to all of the family members, all of the caregivers, all of the loved ones who also uplift and support our veterans,” she said.