The Historical Unit of Southern California held an event on Veterans Day near the Balboa Park Carousel.
On Sunday the Historical Unit of Southern California provided a reenactment of two World Wars near the Balboa Park Carousel. Their fascinating Veterans Day event coincided with the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, the end of the World War One.
Smiling members of the group, wearing historical military uniforms, explained exhibits on the grass that primarily concerned World War I.
In addition to equipment used by soldiers on the battlefield, displays included photographs and objects pertaining to the Red Cross and Salvation Army, organizations that worked to provide care and comfort for those who fought.
Members of the reenactment group displayed artifacts from past wars, and wore historical military uniforms.Member of the American Red Cross Club of Southern California, a World War Two reenactment group founded in 2018. This was their first public event.Medical items used by the American Red Cross, who aided suffering soldiers during the wars of the 20th century.Interesting objects on display include old issues of The Red Cross Magazine.A timeline depicts the history of the American Red Cross through World War Two. The organization was established in 1881 by Clara Barton. (Click photo to enlarge it.)Guys dressed as soldiers hang out on the grass by the Balboa Park Carousel, which itself is over a hundred years old.A rifle, canteen, helmet, and other equipment from the battlefield displayed on a blanket.This friendly lady’s display concerned the Salvation Army. A sign shows some basic facts about World War I.In 1917, Helen Purviance, an ensign in the Salvation Army, was in France with the American First Division. Soldiers asked: Can’t you make a doughnut with a hole in it? The rest is history.I believe these photos and artifacts are from World War I.A doughnut with a convenient hole is enjoyed in the park a hundred years later!
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The historic California Tower rises into the blue sky above San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park.
This morning, at 11:00 am, the carillon bells of Balboa Park’s iconic California Tower chimed twenty-one times. These symbolic Bells of Peace marked the centennial of Armistice Day.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, exactly one hundred years ago, World War I finally came to an end.
In the United States, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday that honors American veterans who’ve served their country in war and in peace. So this morning, when the clock struck eleven, on what might be called the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day, a special ceremony accompanied the ringing Bells of Peace. Flags were presented and voices lifted in front of the Museum of Man.
These photographs relive that ceremony…
Bells of Peace rang out for the 100th Anniversary of Veterans Day! A special ceremony was held in front of the San Diego Museum of Man.People gather for a symbolic, emotionally powerful event.Gina Seashore, who plays the carillon inside the California Tower, addresses those who have gathered for the Veterans Day ceremony.The patriotic Color Guard, from Ramona High School’s NJROTC, moves forward as the short ceremony begins.Flags advance to the front of the Museum of Man.
A trio sings the National Anthem.
After the carillon bells ring twenty-one times, Taps is played.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Marines march west down El Prado toward the California Tower during the 2015 Garden Party of the Century in Balboa Park.
This Sunday will be the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day.
Armistice Day marks the end of World War One. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 the horrifying “war to end all wars” finally ended. (In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in the United States.)
On Sunday in Balboa Park something special will take place to honor the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day.
The carillon inside the California Tower will chime at 11:00 am not the usual 11 times, but 21 times. After it chimes 21 times, Taps will be played. An hour later, at noon, the carillon bells will play a medley of WWI songs.
A variety of events in Balboa Park are also planned for Veterans Day weekend.
Several I’ve noted are:
Friday, beginning at 5 pm, at the San Diego Museum of Art. Free admission to the museum, where visitors can see the fantastic Artists at War: American Posters of World War I exhibition. Enjoy artwork and presentations by local veterans groups, the Air and Space Museum, a performance by Westwind Brass, and a screening of the 1938 classic The Dawn Patrol.
Saturday, 3 pm – 4 pm, at the Veterans Museum. A free preview by the San Diego Opera of their upcoming production of All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, which concerns a brief, miraculous “unofficial armistice” that occurred in the trenches during World War One.
Sunday, 11 am – 5:30 pm, at the Balboa Park Carousel. A free ride will be provided to all veterans, active military and their families, courtesy of the Friends of Balboa Park. In addition, the Historical Unit of Southern California will have a special WWI commemoration at eleven o’clock.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
At events around San Diego County, ordinary citizens will honor heroes who’ve served our country. Flags will wave, bands will march, memories will be shared. Handshakes will transmit gratitude.
Over the years I’ve attended a variety of events that celebrate veterans. I’ve also learned of several ways to provide veterans with a little assistance.
Here are links to past blog posts that might interest you…
Today I learned of two ways to thank military heroes who sacrificed part or all of their life in service to country.
I was walking through the Mustang Club of San Diego’s outdoor car show, checking out some of the displays, when I paused to speak to individuals representing two non-profit organizations: Homes For Our Troops and Final Honor.
Homes For Our Troops builds specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, enabling them to rebuild their lives. The specially designed homes contain features that assist heroes who have multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or traumatic brain injury.
There are 100 severely injured Veterans awaiting entry into their program. To learn more and perhaps make a donation, click here.
Final Honor provides a complimentary horse-drawn funeral carriage at Miramar National Cemetery. The dignified carriage is available for any Veteran, regardless of rank, whose family would like to enhance the memorial service for their loved one at no cost.
This beautiful, completely free service is made possible through private donations. To learn more and perhaps provide a helping financial hand, click here.
Superman enters a phone booth. When he comes out, who will he become?
Today I headed down to Imperial Beach to enjoy the Sun and Sea Festival. The annual summer event is famous for its popular sand sculpture contest near the pier. You might’ve seen photos I took in past years.
In 2018 the theme for the sand sculpture competition was Superheroes In The Sand.
A big crowd turned out on a sunny summer Saturday in Imperial Beach to enjoy the annual Sun and Sea Festival.Poster looks like a comic book cover! A surfer wears a cape for the 2018 Sun and Sea Festival in Imperial Beach. The original sandcastle competition!A big sand sculpture near the event’s entrance greets one and all to the Sun and Sea Festival. That caped hero seems to be holding a surfboard.I found my first superhero on the beach. It’s Wonder Woman!Here’s a tribute to a young superhero. A young lady named Angela had her wish made true by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.Titans Collide, a sand sculpture by the Sculpintures. Thanos and Hulk are ready to do battle. I hope Thanos doesn’t have that gauntlet on.Watch out Thanos! Hulk is finally really angry and ready to smash.The Coastal Carvers were creating the IB Bears. I’m not sure how exactly this fits with the superhero theme.Howie’s Crew was creating Gotham City out of sand. I see the Bat Signal and the Bat Cave!And I see Wayne Manor, too!Scooby Doo is a superhero, right? The Guardians of the Sandlot had scenes from that favorite cartoon. Here’s the Mystery Machine!And here’s a super scary creature! It’s probably an old disgruntled lighthouse keeper in a yellow slicker somehow cleverly disguised as a big monster. Just my wild guess.According to the San Diego Sand Castles, you don’t need a cape.Wonder Woman has no cape, nor She-Ra.A local guy working on sand art that celebrates She-Ra. You’ll see why, shortly.A variety of heroes gathered in Imperial Beach the week before 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.Archisand was crafting a sandcastle fantasy and a beautiful sleepy face.There were sand sculptures on either side of the Imperial Beach Pier. Lots of surfers out today, too.Sandytales was creating Dreaming, an imaginative sand sculpture with another sleepy face and whimsical castle.Here’s the castle and a smile. Creating that looks like fun!Team Sandstorm was creating their sand sculpture just north of the IB Pier.Forever Heroes. It’s a big Purple Cross.Sand spheres are sculpted to become helmeted war heroes.Many heroes behind the medal.The Sandcastle Man Team was creating a fantastic Star Wars setting.A sand sculpture rendition of a far distant world. Rebels and Resistance.The I.B. Posse created a new chest emblem for Superman. It features a firefighter’s helmet.Superman entered a phone booth in my very first photo . . . then emerged as a true hero firefighter!Here are some hero lifeguards.Why do several local sand artists like the heroine She-Ra?This sculpture by the Sand Squirrels honors a former member. I believe her name was Shera. Her surviving brother works with sand for the first time.My Heroes, by the I.B. Family Posse, has Batman and Spiderman ready side by side.A kid is surrounded by Superman and other imaginary superheroes. He wears a fireman’s helmet.My Heroes.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
