Fullerton Resumes Veterans’ Day Parade and Ceremony After Hiatus

By Ben Hintz, photos by Mike Ritto and Gaston Castellanos on November 12, 2025

Fullerton resumed its long-standing tradition of hosting a Veterans Day parade down Harbor, culminating in a ceremony at Hillcrest Park on November 11, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition in Fullerton, hosted by the local American Legion post. Last year, the American Legion was unable to host the event, so the city council directed city staff to take it over. This year thus marks the first that the City of Fullerton has directly organized and hosted the event.

Photo by Mike Ritto

The events began at 9:00 am, when a parade kicked off downtown, starting at Harbor Boulevard and Ellis Place, proceeding down Harbor Boulevard toward Hillcrest Park. The parade consisted of veterans, local California State University, Fullerton Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) members, as well as cadets from Buena Park’s Air Force Junior ROTC program and Troy High School’s nationally ranked Navy Junior ROTC program, as well as Troy High School’s marching band, directed by Mr. Castillo, and finally local fire department and police staff.

Photo by Mike Ritto

The parade proceeded to E. Valley View Drive and up to the field in front of the fountains at Hillcrest Park. On the field, the ceremony proceeded, starting at 10:00 am. Among the events were the raising of the colors by Buena Park Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and the singing of the National Anthem by Haley Copello. This led into the main body of the ceremony, headed by Interim City Manager Mr. Eddie Manfro, who acted as the day’s chief of ceremonies.

Chaplain Sheridan McDaniels led the crowd in an invocation and moment of silent reflection, followed by the performance of each military branch’s anthem by the Armed Forces Medley. A rifle salute proceeded to shake the air, performed by Fullerton’s own city PD. The closing remarks and retiring of the colors were performed/led again by interim city manager and master of ceremonies Eddie Manfro. Following this, veterans were treated to a free brunch downtown.

Eddie Manfro, responding to interview questions following the end of the ceremony at around 10:45 am, said he would like to thank, first of all, every one of our veterans in our country. He also extended his thanks to the Parks and Recreations staff for organizing the ceremony, Fullerton’s local first responders who participated in the ceremonies and who keep the community safe, and to city council for taking on the role of organizers of this year’s, and presumably following years Veteran’s Day ceremonies and preserving a local tradition to honor our community’s and country’s military men and women.