Duarte to Honor Veterans in Ceremony At Thorsen Park on Nov. 11

Veterans, families of those currently serving, and the general public are invited to attend a special Veterans Day ceremony featuring Congressmember Judy Chu sponsored by the City of Duarte and Duarte’s Promise; the Alliance for Youth at Thorsen Park, Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. The City of Duarte annually ensures that veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and those currently serving our homeland are personally honored and remembered every Veterans Day. Thorsen Park is located at 2800 Huntington Dr. at Encanto Parkway. Seating will be available at the ceremony and refreshments will be served immediately afterwards.

Special guest speaker, Lyle Umenhoffer, will recall his personal experience as one of the few survivors of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, one of the most tragic incidents of W.W.II. The San Gabriel resident was a Seaman First Class serving on the U.S.S. Indianapolis in the Philippines Sea on July 30, 1945 when a Japanese submarine torpedoed the ship. The vessel sank in 12 minutes taking down 300 of the 1200 men aboard. The 900 survivors tossed into the shark-infested waters were reduced to 300 when SOS calls gone awry delayed their rescue for four days.

Duarte residents and especially those that are veterans are invited to attend and the City will also be recognizing the community’s Blue Star families. Please contact Andrea Lopez, Duarte’s Promise; The Alliance for Youth at (626) 357-7931 ext. 268 if you would like your name or the name of a family member to be read at the ceremony.