The Veterans Day Celebration at Hollywood Beach was both a joyful and a somber occasion. We opened with the Oxnard High School JROTC Color Guard, and the National Anthem was sung by Ms. Cristina Ortega from the HESD District Office. The Pledge was led by our ASB President, Khloey Jacobs. Present to support the event with great enthusiasm were our Superintendent, Dr. Walker, and our Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Cosgrove.
Our guest speaker, Lieutenant Commander Glover, USN, was kind enough to lend his time to help our students to learn about the meaning of service to one's country as well as to recognize members of the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County organization, our special guests this year. Families and staff brought their very own Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers to be honored as well. Students sang and signed patriotic songs, spoke of what the holiday meant to them, in poem and in prose, and wore their best red, white and blue in honor of our Veterans.
The amazing Oxnard High School Band marched us all to the beach with patriotic flair. Our wonderful bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" as the HBS students and staff tossed a wreath and flowers to the sea as the Harbor Patrol fireboat made a beautiful arc of water to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
We extend our thanks to the Channel Islands Community Services District for their sponsorship of our event, Captain Werner of the Harbor Patrol for getting the fireboat up and running in time for our event, Oxnard High School Band and JROTC for their participation, and Sweet Pea Florist in Ventura for supplying the flowers at cost for our beautiful event. Many thanks to our families for joining us for this return to our longstanding school tradition of honoring our Veterans!
