LA QUINTA – In November 2017, Lake Cahuilla Regional Park near La Quinta was renamed Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, thanks to a unanimous vote by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel “Manny” Perez sought the name change as part of a salute to the county’s veterans.

The Coachella Valley Water District also supported the name change in formal board action.

Now, it is time of officially christen the park.

A dedication ceremony is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 25.

Dedication Set for Lake Cahuilla Veterans Park

Brig. Gen. Russell A. Muncy

Brig. Gen. Russell A. Muncy, Vice Commander, 4th Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., will deliver the keynote address at the dedication ceremony of the 710-acre park.

As vice commander of 4th Air Force, Muncy has 30,000 airmen under his command along with oversite of 15 wings and two groups.  A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and former Commander of the 452nd Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Muncy is the recipient of  the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, campaign medals,  and numerous ribbons, badges, and awards. He is a Command Pilot with thousands of hours of flight time in numerous aircraft.

This event is open to the public and free of charge. The event formally dedicates the park, which is situated at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains 6 miles South East of Old Town La Quinta, in honor of military veterans and unveils a series of monuments to each branch of the armed forces.

A fireworks show begins at 8 p.m. It is sponsored by private donations from the Noble Company and Burrtec Waste Services. The fireworks show is designed as a tribute to veterans.

Dedication Set for Lake Cahuilla Veterans Park

Supervisor Perez visited Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park in March and brought a number of veterans with him on a site planning meeting to discuss improvements to the county park. Pictured with Supervisor Perez (center) are: Steven Waggoner, USN; Daniel Smith, USMC; Bill Young, USAF; Tom Freeman, Cal Guard; Edward Robles, USN; Vince Coffeen, USA.

Veterans attending the ceremony are encouraged to wear their military decorations or other items identifying their beach of military service.

“We want to honor (their) service and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Thomas S. Freeman, chief of public policy for Perez.

In addition to the dedication, supervisors voted to implement a fee waiver program at the location under which veterans and active-duty military personnel seeking to take advantage of the park’s amenities on Memorial Day weekend and on Veterans Day will not have to pay.

To obtain the waivers, however, military veterans will have to present appropriate identification.

The park is operated by the county’s Regional Park & Open Space District.