Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Marin County’s annual Veterans Day ceremony begins at “zero nine thirty” – or 9:30 AM in civilian-speak – on Tuesday, November 11, inside Exhibit Hall at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael.
The traditional salute to all servicemembers will be hosted and led by the Marin County United Veterans Council, which represents local veterans organizations and military family support groups. The gathering, sponsored by the County of Marin, honors all Americans who served in the line of duty with our military forces, with a special emphasis on Marin’s own heroes. Event officials extend a special invitation to veterans who served in recent overseas conflicts to attend on Veterans Day and become active in Marin’s veterans groups.
Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11, no matter on which day of the week it falls. It is observed as a federal closed-door holiday by the County of Marin, other government offices, and many businesses. This Veterans Day will mark the 107th anniversary of the end of World War I. The armistice agreement that ended that conflict was signed in the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. As per tradition, “Taps” will be played at Marin’s ceremony during that 11th hour.
The Exhibit Hall doors open to visitors at 9 AM. Starting at 9:30 AM, the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band – fondly known in Marin as the Sewer Band – will play 30 minutes of traditional patriotic and military music. The ceremony then starts at 10 AM and will include short speeches from the representatives of the Marin County United Veterans Council’s member organizations. Sean Stephens, the event’s master of ceremonies and a U.S. Army veteran, is president of the Marin County United Veterans Council.
The program will feature the singing voices of Marin Golden Gate Barbershop Chorus, presentation of colors by an honor guard, a bagpiper, a chaplain’s invocation and benediction, placement of ceremonial wreaths, and recognition of local elected officials and veterans group representatives.
Guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts during and after the ceremony. Afterward, visitors can stop at information tables from veterans' organizations, grab a hotdog or hamburger, and check out the display of vintage military vehicles from the Joe Garbarino collection just outside of Exhibit Hall.
Stephens leads the Marin County Veterans Services Office, a division of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A four-tour combat veteran, Stephens works with his staff to guide military vets and their families to the benefits they’ve earned. Vets can get connected to mental health services, medical services, court-related services, social services, tuition aid at local colleges, pensions, military discounts, and death benefits for spouses of those who have served.
The Marin HHS Veterans Services is at 10 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael, along with the VA Vet Center on site to provide timely assistance to an estimated 8,000 veterans living in the county. Contact the office Mondays through Thursdays by calling 415-473-6193 or visit the website.