LA QUINTA – Patriotic music performed by the Glee Choir of La Quinta’s Benjamin Franklin Elementary School will be showcased as the community begins Memorial Day weekend by honoring veterans at a special ceremony at Lake Cahuilla.

Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel “Manny” Perez, Coachella Valley Water District Board President John Powell and Vice President Cástulo Estrada are encouraging residents to attend  the patriotic ceremony enjoy a free firework show.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park will be dedicated in honor of veterans at 7 p.m. today, Friday, May 25. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided while supplies last.

The county park is located at 58-075 Jefferson St., La Quinta.

Patriotic Music from Elementary Glee Choir Will Honor Veterans

(Photo courtesy of V. Manuel Perez)

“I’m very proud that veterans have had a major part in the design and features of Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, the first park in our county park system named in honor of veterans,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We look forward to having many people join us to honor veterans, celebrate the dedication of this park and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Lake Cahuilla Regional Park was renamed to Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park in August 2017 through a proposal Perez authored. The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District operates the park via a lease with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. All parties approved the name change.

The Park District constructed new improvements that include: a seat wall memorial with dedication plaques of the County of Riverside and CVWD, flagpoles displaying the patriotic flags of each military branch, lighting and landscaping pathways.

Another feature of the park is the patriot time capsule, which will be placed in the tribute site and opened in 25 years. Letters from about 20 pupils at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School to honor veterans will be included in the time capsule.

Veterans from every branch of the military will participate in the program. The ceremony will include remarks by guest speaker Brigadier General Russell Muncy, Vice Commander, 4th Air Force.

The ceremony will be followed by a firework spectacular. Everyone is encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit in the grass.

The patriotic firework spectacular is sponsored by: Chandi Group USA, Noble & Company, LLC, General Henry B. Freeman Foundation, Terragen, Eagle Crest Energy, California Alliance for Renewable Energy Solutions (CARES), Burrtec Waste Industries, American Medical Response and Dr. Frank Curry.

As part of the naming, veterans and service members have their service honored with free entry into the park every Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and Memorial Day weekend (Saturday-Monday). Free admission is open to active duty military personnel and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard and federal and state reservists. To qualify, veterans need to present valid proof of military service.

Perez represents the eastern two-thirds of Riverside County on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Stretching from Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, south to the Salton Sea and east to Blythe and the Colorado River. The Fourth District is the largest geographical district in the county.

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  • Supervisor V. Manuel Perez: Supervisor V. Manuel Perez