On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9415 in Phelan commemorated all those who fought for our freedom and sacrificed everything for it at their annual Veterans Day ceremony. Honoring all U.S. veterans who protected our freedom and still pushed through the fight with our freedom in mind. All who protected and served our country, whether it was through World War II on the sandy shores of the Battle of Normandy or the subtropical battlegrounds of the Vietnam War, still fought.
The beginning of the ceremony took place at 1106 hours at VFW Post 9415, where local Boy Scout Troop 351 raised the American flag to half-staff in remembrance of all U.S. veterans. This commemorative and patriotic ceremony was followed by a salute and the silence of our proud American flag waving in the bright blue sky. Then the sound of the trumpet further reminded all Americans of the great sacrifice that was paid to preserve our freedom. After the fading sound of the trumpet, a beautiful performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by the Serrano High School choir under the direction of choir teacher Melissa Aguilar.
Following the magnificent performance of the national anthem by the Serrano High School choir, all attendees at the ceremony were ushered into the VFW main hall and were serenaded by yet another performance from the 14-member Serrano High School choir. As everyone took their seats, the choir walked in ready to commemorate all U.S. veterans with the one way they knew best — through the use of music and the patriotic melodic performance of “The Armed Forces Military Medley.” After the honorary melody of the song, Chaplain Bobb Carreon applauded the Serrano High School choir for their patriotic performance and asked everyone to bow their heads and say grace for the meal.
After the blessing, all attendees were invited outside to witness the flag-burning ceremony. As half of Boy Scout Troop 351 made their preparations for the retirement of the Stars and Stripes, the other half stood at attention awaiting orders. As four troop members from Troop 351 opened the faithful and worn Old Glory, another read the Flag Retirement Speech. “I am your flag. I was born on June 14, 1777. I am more than just a piece of cloth shaped into a colorful design….” As the troop read on, they began cutting the honorable Star-Spangled Banner. They read, “My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation,” as the red stripe was cut off and placed in the hands of another Boy Scout. “My white stripes symbolize the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons in battle,” as the white stripe was cut off and placed in the hands of a Boy Scout. “My blue field represents God’s heaven under which I fly. My stars, clustered together, unify the 50 states as one for God and country.” The entire blue section of the flag remained whole and ready for its retirement in the hands of yet another Boy Scout. When the cutting of the flag was complete, it was placed inside a burning rusty metal barrel for its final moment of service.
Following the flag-burning ceremony was a celebratory potluck, concluding the event with conventional amounts of local Pizza Factory pizzas, along with fried chicken, cookies and other nourishments and confections.
When local Phelan resident Marcus was asked, “What does Veterans Day mean to you?” he replied, “Veterans Day to me is a day to fully recognize and … just realize what they [veterans] did for us and to thank them and recognize them for what they did to protect our country.”
On behalf of Tri-Community NewsPlus, we thank all U.S. veterans and military personnel for your sacrifice, bravery and dedication to this country. We thank you for your service and for protecting our freedoms.
