Under sunny skies outside Veterans Hall this morning, La Verne residents gathered to honor those who have served—and the families who’ve stood beside them.

The city’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony centered on a shared theme voiced across several speakers: “thank you to all who have served and continue to serve, and thank you to all their families.”

La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn opened the program, gesturing to the large crowd, he said, “You can see by the turnout that we really do appreciate our veterans. But most of all, we also appreciate those families that had to wait in the wings when they didn’t know when—or if—their loved ones would come home. We thank you for enduring, and we thank our veterans for their service.”

U.S. Air Force veteran Maria McKinney, the first female post commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12034 “Band of Brothers,” spoke of the lasting impact of military service and its role in strengthening civic life.

“Today, we gather not just to honor those who have worn the uniform of our nation, but to reaffirm the sacred truth that the courage, sacrifice, and commitment of our veterans echo far beyond the battlefield,” McKinney said. “Veterans do not wait for change—they lead it.”

California Sen. Susan Rubio also took to the podium, reminding the crowd that support for veterans must extend beyond the day’s celebration. “Sometimes we forget that they still need us,” Rubio said. “The scars are internal, they’re silent, but they’re still suffering from trauma. It’s upon all of us to stop, say hello, and offer support.”

The ceremony also included a special dedication of a new bronze statue honoring military service dogs—an addition inspired by La Verne resident Diane Deal, who passed away earlier this year. Former Mayor Don Kendrick, who helped spearhead the fundraising effort, shared that the idea came from Deal herself, who once told him, “Don, you forgot the dog.” Deal’s niece, former City Council member Donna Redman, said, “She would be so pleased to see so many of you gathered here for its dedication.”

Retired Navy Capt. Gary Deal spoke of his parents, longtime La Verne residents Larry and Diane Deal, whose lives reflected the spirit of service. He described his father, a former football lineman, as “a great leader and a great teammate…who made a difference without touching the ball,” and said his mother’s quiet acts of service inspired those around her.

“Every successful team—on the battlefield, in the community, or on the football field—depends on those who support from behind the scenes,” Gary Deal said. “La Verne is full of people like that—people who make a difference, often without recognition.”

Gary Deal recalled receiving care packages from La Verne residents while stationed in Iraq two decades ago, saying one sailor told him he didn’t usually read, “but since they came from your hometown, I took one. I actually read it. And it was really good.”

“To the City of La Verne,” Gary Deal said, “on behalf of many members of the armed forces, both past and present, thank you. This city is an example of people working together to make a difference in so many ways.”

USAF veteran Dan Harden reflected on the often-overlooked animals that have served in wartime, from messenger pigeons to mules and dogs. The program for today’s ceremony included several pages of information about the history of military working animals and stories about animal heroes from the past and the present.

“Courage isn’t defined by size or species—it’s defined by heart,” said La Verne Police Corporal Alan Weinreb, who, along with his K-9 partner Tupelo, participated in the ceremony today.