Saluting veterans

More than 100 people attended the Veteran’s Day event at Pier Plaza Tuesday, where several local officials expressed their gratitude to those who have served this country.

Led by Master of Ceremonies and veteran Jim Ghormley, the morning ceremony celebrated the efforts of several veterans groups, including American Legion Post 133, Jewish War Veterans Post 595, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11548.

“This is one of my great honors as a member of the House of Representatives,” Rep. Dana Rohrabacher said. “Veterans of America, veterans of Southern California and Orange County, God bless you and thank you from the bottoms of our hearts.”

Other speakers included Mayor Debbie Cook, County Supervisor John Moorlach and Naval Captain Jonathan Kurtz, the commanding officer of the Naval Weapons Station.

Jan Wiley of the Community Methodist Church led the group in prayer, and an honor guard placed a POW/MIA cover on an empty, solitary chair in front of the podium that symbolized missing soldiers.

The Huntington Beach High School Band performed the national anthem and each military branch’s song, and were followed by a rifle salute, a performance of the “Taps” bugle call.

To read a letter from Sen. Tom Harman about Veteran’s Day, click here.