PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Office of Veterans Support will host the 2024 Honoring Our Heroes – A Sunset Ceremony, on Sunday, May 26, to commemorate Memorial Day. This free, family-friendly event will honor military service members who have died, with several local historical, veteran-led and veteran-supporting organizations represented.

“This Memorial Day commemoration not only honors our military members, past and present, for their sacrifice and bravery, but also celebrates the over 90-year history of Long Beach as a Naval city,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “I encourage folks to come join us at this community celebration and pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

This year’s event will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Long Beach Navy Memorial in Shoreline Aquatic Park (200 Aquarium Way). The event will include live patriotic music provided by the Navy Band Southwest Harborside Brass Quintet, flyovers with historic aircraft, exhibition drills by Lakewood High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and an information fair and family-friendly activities featuring the Historical Society of Long Beach, People of the Earth Krew and other local community-based, veteran-led and veteran-serving organizations. A program with special guest speakers will also take place at 6:45 p.m. followed by the sunset flag ceremony and the playing of Taps to honor our fallen service members. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Navy Memorial site and paid parking is available at the Queensway Bay/Aquarium parking garage (99 Aquarium Way).

“Honoring Our Heroes will offer an impactful opportunity to remember, reflect upon and honor those who died while serving in the military or as a result of their injuries while serving,” said Health Department Director Alison King.

“We extend our deepest appreciation to our brave military service members for their courage, dedication, and selflessness, holding them close in our hearts as we come together to pay tribute to them at this special ceremony,” said First District Counciwoman Mary Zendejas. 

Honoring Our Heroes will also offer opportunities to learn more about the Navy Memorial site, designed to provide a reflective space for visitors who are often surprised to discover it and its magnificent ocean view. The Navy Memorial commemorates the 90-year history of the Navy in Long Beach and includes “Navysphere,” a public art installation in the form of 15-foot sculpture of an armillary sphere by local artist Terry Braunstein. The striking sculpture, installed in 2004, was commissioned by the Long Beach Navy Memorial Heritage Association (the Navy Trust).  

Honoring Our Heroes complements Los Angeles Fleet Week, which takes place May 24 through May 27 at the L.A. Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles. As Sunday’s Fleet Week activities conclude for the day, Long Beach’s Memorial Day celebration will begin. Lead sponsorship for this year’s event is being provided by the Port of Long Beach. For up-to-date information about the sunset ceremony, visit longbeach.gov/veterans.

Honoring Our Heroes aligns with Goal 1 of the Veterans Strategic Plan, which focuses on recognizing veterans for their strengths and as valued members of our community, and regularly celebrating and honoring them. This event honors our fallen service members while also uplifting the local Long Beach veteran community, which comprises more than 15,000 veterans and their families. 

About the City of Long Beach 
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.