North County honors veterans with heartfelt ceremonies
By Camille DeVaul · Fri Nov 14 2025
Community gathers to pay tribute at Paso Robles District Cemetery and Faces of Freedom Memorial, with special recognition for Vietnam veterans and local heroes
NORTH COUNTY — It was on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — 107 years ago — World War I ended with an armistice signing between the Allies and Germany. Twenty years later, on May 13, 1938, that Nov. 11 was anointed as Armistice Day and proclaimed as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace.” North County came together on Tuesday, in Atasacdero and Paso Robles, to honor and give thanks to our country's veterans.
On Tuesday, the community gathered at the Paso Robles District Cemetery to acknowledge and give thanks to our local veterans. This Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Paso Robles District Cemetery welcomed back its Veterans Day Ceremony. Each year, the cemetery creates the Avenue of Flags throughout the grounds to pay tribute to our veterans. Additionally, the flags are accompanied by a ceremony conducted at 11 a.m. sharp, with notable speakers, bands, and a flyover by the Warbirds Museum.
Master of Ceremonies and VFW Post Commander VFW10965 Leo Castillo welcomed the public to the service, which included an invocation by Pastor Laurene McCoy and keynote speaker SLO County Veterans Services Manager Morgan Boyd, MPP, U.S. Army.
Photos by Rick Evans/ATN
Castillo spoke to the copy-and-paste nature of Veteran's Day and asked the community to adapt, and do something a little different this year.
"We have to adapt and our veterans are adaptable ... and what I am asking you all to do moving forward is to be adaptable and to do something different for Veterans Day," said Castillo.
This year marked the first year that the Paso Robles City Council have declared November Veteran's Appreciation Month, rather than celebrating just one day of the year.
The Paso Robles District Cemetery is home to 1,200 VA (Veteran Affairs) issued headstones. But that number is increased to over 2,000 when counting privately issued veteran headstones. Some veterans from the Spanish-American War are buried in the Pioneer section of the cemetery.
Patriotic music was provided by the Cuesta Concord Chorus with a well-timed flyover from the Estrella Warbirds. The local Scouts of America led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. volunteers from the VFW, Boy Scouts, Moose Lions Club, and others help put flags on every veteran’s grave in the cemetery.
"Its an honor to stand with you here today, amongst veterans, families and friends on sacred ground. Where the names carved in stone, remind us of freedom and the strength of a community that remembers," said Boyd. "Veterans Day is not a day of mourning. It is a day of gratitude ... this day honors those who came home."
Boyd commended VFW Post 10965 for working to build a stronger community with veterans and setting a high standard for the country to follow.
Hundreds gathered at the Faces of Freedom Memorial in Atascadero on Tuesday to honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces, with a special focus this year on veterans of the Vietnam War. This year’s Veterans Day ceremony coincided with the final day of the national commemoration period for the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary, giving special meaning to the tribute.
Photos by Rick Evans/ATN
Atascadero Veterans Memorial Association organizers wanted to make this year’s event particularly meaningful for those who fought in Vietnam. Many Vietnam veterans attended, including keynote speaker Capt. Martin Tovar, who served two tours in Vietnam after enlisting in the Army.
Since 2008, the Atascadero Veterans Memorial Association has hosted the annual ceremony at the Faces of Freedom Memorial, honoring veterans of all eras. The day’s program featured an Estrella Warbirds Museum flyover, a Quilts of Valor presentation, live music, and heartfelt tributes.
Assemblymember Dawn Addis, who spoke at the event, shared her appreciation on social media for the veterans and the community that came together to honor them.
"It was an honor to speak at today’s Faces of Freedom Veterans Day — a Tribute to our Vietnam Veterans Ceremony in Atascadero, hosted by the Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation," Addis said. "From the Estrella Warbirds flyover to the Quilts of Valor presentation, music, and heartfelt tributes, our community came together in full force to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Thank you to every veteran and family member who continues to inspire us with your courage, leadership, and love of country."
Organizers emphasized that their mission to support veterans continues beyond Veterans Day. To learn more, visit facesoffreedommemorial.org