Honoring Service, Healing Together: Simi Valley Marks Veterans Day with Heartfelt Tributes
Sylvie Belmond 
Rancho Tapo Park’s “Salute to Wellness” and the Reagan Library’s Veterans Day Commemoration unite Simi Valley in honoring those who answered the call to serve
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Red, white and blue will fill Rancho Tapo Park this Veterans Day as the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District hosts Salute to Wellness: A Veterans Day of Connection and Care on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The day begins at 11 a.m. with a traditional Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Plaza, honoring those who served through words, music and remembrance. According to the park district, this year’s celebration also features A Salute in Song and Spirit, a lively USO-style tribute show with patriotic tunes, 1940s-era dancing and lighthearted comedy — a nod to the music and entertainment that once lifted the spirits of service members far from home.
“The Veterans Day ceremony is the most important event on our Rancho Simi calendar. This year’s Salute to Wellness will be especially significant because of our District’s recent emphasis on mental health. Veterans face profound risk factors that make them vulnerable to conditions like PTSD and depression. The event will be a meaningful way to honor and show appreciation for our local veterans,” said Board Chair Ed Abele in a statement.
Following the ceremony and show, the celebration continues with a Veterans Wellness Fair from noon to 3 p.m. at the park. Visitors will find booths and activities focused on health and community connection, including mental-health and counseling resources, fitness and nutrition programs, and local veteran support groups.
Throughout Simi Valley and Ventura County, that sense of gratitude extends well beyond the park. Local organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049, home of the Museum of Military History at the Simi Valley Town Center, help preserve the stories and sacrifices of those who served from World War I through today. The President Ronald Reagan Detachment 597 of the Marine Corps League, also based in Simi Valley, regularly participates in community ceremonies, parades and educational programs that honor the Marine Corps’ legacy of service.
The Simi Valley Elks Lodge No. 2492 continues to meet the needs of today’s veterans and improve their quality of life through volunteerism and outreach. Meanwhile, For the Troops, a nonprofit founded in Simi Valley, focuses on supporting active-duty service members by sending “We Care” packages filled with essentials and letters from home — a small gesture that carries great meaning across the miles.
Beyond Simi, other Ventura County organizations such as the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation and the Veteran Collaborative of Ventura County connect veterans with benefits, housing and peer support. Together, these groups form a network of compassion that keeps the spirit of service alive all year.
That same spirit will be on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which will host its annual Veterans Day Commemoration beginning at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. According to the Reagan Library, the program includes an honor guard, live music by the Project Peace by Piece and Note 4 Notes ensembles, a Civil War encampment, and a military-vehicle display. Keynote speaker Retired Army Sergeant Eric Donoho will share his story of resilience and recovery, followed by a book signing of his memoir, Canyon of Hope: From Darkness to Dawn – Embracing the Light Within. Veterans with valid ID will receive free admission to the museum and Air Force One Pavilion that day, while active-duty military are always free.
Veterans Day itself has deep roots in remembrance. It began as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Established as a federal holiday in 1938, it originally honored only those who served in that war until 1954, when Congress renamed it Veterans Day to recognize all who have worn the nation’s uniform — in war or peace — according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Admission to Salute to Wellness is free and open to the public. Rancho Tapo Community Park is located at 3700 Avenida Simi in Simi Valley. For more information, contact the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District at (805) 526-6453 or email [email protected].
