In order to honor local veterans, the Long Beach City Council unanimously voted to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution in support of the 24th annual Veterans Day Celebration.
“Long Beach has a long and rich history of being home to our veterans and supporting our local veterans,” Vice Mayor Rex Richardson said. “We became home to many after World War II, shaping our city’s legacy as we know it today.”
Long Beach is home to over 16,000 veterans and more than 3,000 veteran-owned businesses, according to the resolution proposal.
The same document noted that in recent years, the City has taken steps to involve veterans in local government and has created the Veterans Commission and developed a Veterans Affairs Strategic Plan.
The City honors the service of veterans every year during Veterans Day celebrations, which include a parade (not taking place this year) and a festival––taking place on Nov. 13 at Houghton Park.
This year, the festival will honor veteran and former Long Beach Vice Mayor Val Lerch.
Veterans Day events are an important place for veterans and servicemen and servicewomen to come together, said Juanita Doplemore, member of the Veteran Affairs Commission, during public comment.
“With high rates of substance abuse, PTSD, depression and homelessness, these events help boost morale and show appreciation for the service of men and women to our country,” Doplemore said.
Councilmember Mary Zendejas noted that individuals are recruited into the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard with a promise of greater opportunities.
“[They are recruited] to do the honor of hero’s work, something that they do very good for our nation,” Zendejas said
However, Zendejas noted that sometimes veterans are not provided with the resources they need.
“I hope that today we are reminded that we need to do better and do the things that will honor those who fight so much to protect our nation, our veterans,” she said.
Zendejas advocated for mental health services and housing for veterans.
According to the 2020 Point-in-Time Homeless Count, 175 of Long Beach’s veterans experienced homelessness, 76 of which were unsheltered.
“Although we’ve taken great steps toward eliminating veteran homelessness and offering a pathway toward permanent housing, we still need to do more and continue to take steps to support our veterans,” Richardson said.
