Claremont officials, residents, first responders and military veterans congregated at Memorial Park Monday to celebrate Veterans Day.

Opening remarks were delivered by Claremont Mayor Sal Medina and American Legion Keith Powell Post 78 second vice commander Michael Murphy before retired four-star U.S. Army General Austin Scott Miller took the stage for the keynote address. The city then dedicated an oak tree and large stone to Miller. Members from Claremont’s Boy Scout Troops 402, 407 and 408, and Cub Scout Pack 408 participated in the presentation the colors and a flag raising ceremony.

Claremont’s Heroes Banner Program honors local veterans with signs displayed throughout the city. Information is at ci.claremont.ca.us, search “heroes banner program.”

Veterans Day was formerly known as Armistice Day in recognition of the agreement that ended World War I in 1918. Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954. In the 1970s, Veterans Day was observed on the fourth Monday in October before reverting back to its original date of November 11 in 1978.

(L-R) Retired four-star U.S. Army General Austin Scott Miller, Claremont City Council members Jennifer Stark, Ed Reece and Jed Leano at Monday’s Veterans Day ceremony. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

(L-R) Scouts Sofie Wasson and Aiden Ballesteros, of Troop 407, at Claremont’s Veterans Day ceremony. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo