Thanking Veterans For Their Service

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Sonora, CA — Flags have been placed around downtown Sonora in recognition of Veterans Day.

Also, to thank those who have served, effective today, the National Park Service is implementing a new program allowing all military veterans, and their immediate families, free entrance into all national parks and wildlife refuges. For more information, click here.

The State of California is also allowing free admission today at all state parks for active military members and veterans.

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a Veteran’s Day Proclamation. You can read it below:

On November 11 each year, we pay tribute to those who served this nation
as members of our armed forces.

This holiday initially commemorated the end of World War I, which came at
the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. One
year later, Americans celebrated the first Armistice Day, and it became a
national holiday in 1938. In 1954, following World War II and the Korean War,
President Eisenhower renamed it Veterans Day to honor and
commemorate veterans of all wars.

Today, nearly 1.6 million veterans live and work in our state, and many more
Californians have close family members who are veterans. These individuals
continue to serve their communities as small business owners, civic leaders,
first responders, volunteers, mentors and in countless other roles and
professions.

We set aside this day to recognize the personal sacrifices American heroes
have made to defend our Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees, but
also to recognize the enduring respect they deserve every day. Some
members of our veteran population experience homelessness, mental
health disorders and other challenges after military service. In our boundless
gratitude for their service, we must continue our efforts to support veterans
and address these important issues.

In the words of President Truman, “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant
women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have
earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
The ongoing pandemic will alter the way we recognize Veterans Day this
year in many parts of the state. Though it restricts or prevents the parades,
picnics and other gatherings that have become tradition over the
decades, it cannot and will not diminish our love, respect and continued
support for veterans.

NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do
hereby proclaim November 11, 2020, as “Veterans Day.”