Loyalty Day Kicks Off Patriotic Month for La Verne

Members of the La Verne Lutheran ROTC program faced double duty, performing first at Loyalty Day ceremonies at Veterans Hall and then at La Verne Lutheran's celebration honoring its 2010 California State Championship basketball team.

On Saturday, May 1, La Verne VFW Post 12030 and the City of La Verne honored Loyalty Day with a flag-raising ceremony and awards presentation recognizing several local civic organizations and leaders.

Officially celebrated since May 1, 1959, Loyalty Day is a special day for people to reaffirm their loyalty to the United States of America and to recognize the heritage of American freedom.

“The biggest honor of my life was serving six years in the Navy,” said La Verne Mayor Don Kendrick, who served four of those years aboard a nuclear submarine. “Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Loyalty Day, should be celebrated every day.”

After the presentation of awards honoring the work and service of community officials and Post members, celebrants enjoyed a wonderful lunch of fried chicken and taco salad, corn salad and macaroni salad. A table dressed in a white table cloth remained empty in honor of all the soldiers and service members who did not make it home from America’s various wars and armed conflicts around the world to preserve America’s freedom and personal liberties. 

All of La Verne will be able to show their appreciation for all of the armed services on Armed Forces Day at a concert on May 15 at Bonita High School’s Glenn Davis Stadium, presented jointly by the City of La Verne, La Verne Chamber of Commerce, the Bonita Unified School District, and Veterans of Foreign Wars

Patriotic music will be performed by the Bonita High School Chamber singers, the Bonita High School Symphonic Band, Ramona Middle School Jazz Band and Troubadours, and the La Verne and San Dimas Elementary Honor Choir.

During the concert, members of the La Verne community who gave their lives for their country will be honored as well. Chamber members will have booths set up displaying their businesses and services they offer to the La Verne Community.

The concert runs from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are being sold at City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce , and various businesses in La Verne. Pricing is $6 for adults, and $5 for children (ages 5-12). Children under five are free.

Proceeds will benefit the La Verne Veterans Memorial. Sponsorships are still available. If you are interested or have any questions regarding sponsorship or participation, please contact Parks and Community Services Director Bill Aguirre at (909) 596-8700.

“This will be a tremendous event for the entire family to come and celebrate, said incoming La Verne VFW Commander Rosendo Reyes, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, including Desert Storm. “We will have orchestras, bands, ensembles and choral groups who have been preparing really hard to make this a truly uplifting and memorable experience.”