𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡: Military Vehicle Parade Opens Santa Monica’s Veterans Day Observance

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Police motorcycles led a convoy of camouflage Humvees and military trucks down Ocean Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, carrying military and local officials to Santa Monica’s Veterans Day ceremony. The procession turned into the beach parking lot next to Crescent Bay Park, where the ceremony followed. Gen. Ronald P. Clark, commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, and Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob were among the dignitaries who rode in the parade. The beachfront observance honored veterans and current service members during the year marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Santa Monica Councilmember Dan Hall, an Army veteran, was slated to open the ceremony, followed by the posting of the colors by the U.S. Army Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion and the national anthem performed by Rora Wilde. The program also listed a helicopter flyover by Coulson Aviation. Clark was the scheduled keynote speaker. The program also listed remarks by Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis, Maj. Gen. Dianne Del Rosso, deputy chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, and Medal of Honor recipient Gary Littrell, a retired Army command sergeant major. The program included performances by the 300th Army Band and Miss USO Heidi-Marie Ferren, along with a swearing-in ceremony for future soldiers led by Maj. Gen. Shane Buzza, commanding general of the 63rd Readiness Division. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document local ceremonies and community events across Santa Monica and the surrounding communities.