Thousands of flags fill Southern California fields for Veterans Day

With some celebrations ranging from flag-raising ceremonies to military vehicle displays, communities across Southern California found ways to honor servicemen and women this Veterans Day.

Sierra Vista Middle School in Covina hosted the annual Field of Valor event, planting 26 historical flags and 2,001 U.S. flags in its field to honor troops and veterans.

Every year, the nonprofit Field of Valor holds this event to invite community members of all ages to come and learn about the importance of veterans to society.

“In 2011, the Pentagon predicted that 20% of veterans would be homeless,” said Linda Logan, the head of Fields of Valor. “I just sat there and said, ‘This is not acceptable, we have to find a way to help them.’”

Now, more than a decade later, Logan’s nonprofit organization works with the Veterans Administration to help veterans stay housed and off the streets. 

To date, more than 560 veterans have received the help they need.

In Rancho Cucamonga, dozens gathered for a Veterans Day celebration and ceremony at Central Park.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” Marine Corps veteran Keith Kuba told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “It really brought out the full meaning and I really thank the city for putting this on.”

At Riverside National Cemetery, 290,000 flags represent those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

In Upland, a ceremony included a flag-raising and military vehicle display, with many more people showing their support.

Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Lloyd Johnson came out to this event, displaying his ‘56 Chevy and allowing the public to learn about his own history.

“We wouldn’t have the freedoms we have now,” said Johnson. “I tell everybody freedom isn’t free.”