Cathedral City Council Member Rita Lamb to Participate in Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11
CATHEDRAL CITY — Cathedral City Council Member Rita Lamb will participate in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. at Desert Memorial Park, located at 31-705 Da Vall Drive.
The ceremony, hosted by American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 66 and the Jon Castro Chapter of Veterans for Peace, will honor the nation’s veterans and fallen heroes. The event is free and open to the public.
Council Member Lamb, who has represented District One since 2019 and previously received the “Friend of the Veteran Award,” will present awards to four elementary school students who won an essay and poetry contest titled “Thank You Letter to Veterans.” Students from Cathedral City Elementary School and Sunny Sands Elementary School participated in the contest, with two winners selected from each school. Each student will read their winning submission and receive a $100 cash prize.
Council member Rita Lamb
“It’s an honor to recognize both our veterans and the next generation who appreciate their service,” said Councilmember Lamb, a retired elementary school principal. “These students’ words remind us of the importance of remembering those who served our country.”
The ceremony will feature several distinguished speakers, including Palm Springs City Council
Member Jeffrey Bernstein and James Apedaile, national president of American Veterans For Equal Rights (AVER). Lee Wilson of the Fallen Heroes Project will introduce Gold Star Family members, each of whom will be invited to speak and receive a rose.
Special recognition will be given to Palm Springs Police Officer Jorge Diaz, a Marine Corps veteran, and Natalina Garritano, a World War II survivor who was rescued by an American Army soldier. Musical performances will include Prince Fleet Easton, who has a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame, and vocalist JB, who will perform the national anthem. Bishop Nick Sakis of Cathedral City will lead the benediction, and Bryon Wirth will play Taps.
Officer Jorge Diaz has dedicated his life to service, first to his country, and now to his community. Before joining the Palm Springs Police Department nearly seven years ago, Officer Diaz served seven years in the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He served with the Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 at Twentynine Palms and later with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Since joining the Palm Springs Police Department, Officer Diaz has become known for his integrity, compassion, and leadership. He currently serves on the department’s IMPACT Team, a specialized unit dedicated to improving quality of life through problem-oriented policing. In this role, he works closely with the city’s unhoused population, helping connect individuals in crisis to critical resources and support services.
Beyond his team duties, Officer Diaz is an active mentor and recruiter, leading physical agility testing for new applicants and guiding prospective officers through the challenges of law enforcement training. He also uses his personal platform to promote fitness, resilience, and service-minded leadership, inspiring others to give back to their communities.
Officer Jorge Diaz exemplifies what it means to serve with honor and heart, demonstrating unwavering dedication from his years in the Marine Corps to his continued service with the Palm Springs Police Department
For more information about the Veterans Day Ceremony, contact Tom Swann Hernandez at (760) 324-5670 or [email protected].
Image Sources
- Rita Lamb: Courtesy photo
