Malibu’s 25th Veterans Day honors past heroes, inspiring future generations

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Members of the community came together for the 25th Annual Malibu Veterans Day Public Ceremony, hosted by the Malibu Navy League, Pepperdine University, the City of Malibu, and the Malibu Association of Realtors. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.

Keynote speaker Pat Boone; Ethel Margolin, 102, a veteran of WWII and the Women’s Army Corp, honored for support of veterans’ groups

Malibu City Hall was standing room only as those assembled honored our nation’s veterans at the 25th Annual Veterans Day Public Ceremony on Nov. 11. The gathering at City Hall was hosted by the Malibu Navy League, Pepperdine University, the City of Malibu and the Malibu Association of Realtors.

The event, once again planned by a committee led by Ani Dermenjian, was themed, “A Quarter Century of Honor — 25 years of Saluting the Past and Inspiring the Future.” 

There was discussion about military history — the event program noted that “On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On Nov. 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time.”

There were traditional military formalities, with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, Langley Division Color Guards conducting the posting of the colors and a flag salute and pledge of allegiance led by local Boy Scout Troop 224.  

There was music — lots of music! Malibu native Destiny Malibu, an “American Idol” alumna, sang a moving rendition of “God Bless the USA,” Kathy Bee sang a song she composed as a tribute to those in the military called “I’m an American,” and Our Lady of Malibu’s Gina Longo and her son Leo Gigliotti, 8, a third-grader at the parish school, sang a touching rendition of “Amazing Grace” as a hushed and impressed audience looked on in awe.

There was dancing. The LA Swing Dance Posse, led by Arthur White, opened up the show and provided a closing performance, delighting attendees of all ages.

There were recognitions of the military recipients’ valor and service. The event honored Tom Lubisich, a 97-year-old World War II veteran and a native of Santa Monica who was drafted in 1945. He shared stories about serving in the military and how he learned about the beginning of World War II.

“I huddled with my mother, father and brother listening to FDR on the radio on Dec. 7, 1941 as the president informed Americans about Pearl Harbor and our going to war.” Lubisich shared. “I was 16 and my brother was 18, and after I was drafted at the age of 18, I and others were given 17 weeks of training, and after sailing across the ocean, we were dropped off in the front lines in France in the dead of winter.”

Lubisich discussed being shipped out on a private cruise liner, “because those ships crossed the ocean faster,” and being sent home on the Queen Mary. 

After trekking across America, in a time where there was no modern communication technology, such as cellphones, much to his surprise, as Lubisich was making his way back to Santa Monica after exiting a bus, he encountered a crowd of delighted citizens in downtown LA who informed him that Japan had surrendered.

Growing serious, he said, “After all of that, I tell you that war is not the answer — it’s not even the question.” His remark drew wide applause in the audience.

Equally impactful were the remarks made by Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Bill Ratner, who recounted that when he returned from serving in Vietnam, “I came home and knew not to put on my military uniform, whereas when I returned from Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, when I’d put on my uniform, all drinks were free — how we were perceived had changed.”

Elaborating, Ratner opined, “We should celebrate our veterans every day and their stories should not be whispers in the wind — their stories should live on through storytelling.”

Malibu’s Jefferson Wagner, who served and continues to serve as a range safety officer, discussed how he began serving in that role after the war in Kuwait.

“We had to train officers on the ground to know a few phrases in Dari, Pashto, Arabic and Farsi,” Wagner explained. “They needed that knowledge for their humanitarian efforts after battle.”

Pepperdine student Korey Ryan Jones explained how he served in the U.S. Navy, tasked with welding pipes for Los Angeles Class nuclear submarine weapons. “It was necessary to weld to the one-thousandth inch because the high pressure steam valves are very sensitive,” he said. “If I made a mistake, it could literally sink the ship. That experience allowed me to grow up fast.” 

There was poetry! Nine-year-old Edward Gorby, a fourth-grader at Webster Elementary shared his poem about why Veterans Day is important to him, as did Malibu’s Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall, whose “A Poem for Veteran’s Day” shares a perspective of a soldier at war, pining for home and concerned about his wife and young son. Similarly, Christopher Dermenjian, a sophomore in high school, recited, “What Veteran’s Day Means to Me,” noting that since he was a wee wane, he and his sibling have watched his parents, Ani and Raffi Dermenjian, organize the annual Malibu Veteran’s Day event. 

In a very touching moment, Ethel Margolin, 102, a veteran of World War II and the Women’s Army Corp, was honored for her lifelong support of veteran’s groups, including Wings Over Wendy’s, a veterans group that supports all veterans. Members of the Pacific Coast Volleyball Club presented Margolin with a beautiful plaque as the audience applauded greatly.  

Hoping for a rebirth of patriotism

Aaron T. Jones, founder of International Protective Service, the Gold Sponsor for the event, expressed his hopes for a rebirth of patriotism in our country.

“I’m so happy to be here amidst all the discussion of our veterans serving our country,” Jones said. “This is what America is all about.”

U.S. Army Col. Jack F. Jones II, addressed the need to discuss our past wars. 

“We draw courage from our veterans,” Jones declared. “As long as we speak the names of our veterans who have passed away, they are never forgotten! With regard to our veterans who are with us, we need to support them. Every day, 22 veterans commit suicide — they need our support! I always tell vets that if demons bother them, they need to call me andI tell them, ‘I will come for you!’”

The Piece de Resistance

Delighted audience members were thrilled when keynote speaker Pat Boone took the stage. 

The iconic singer, actor, author, television personality, and philanthropist was moved to tears, sharing that “I didn’t know that Americans still gather like we do today to celebrate Veterans Day. We honor our war heroes and we need to remember that, as President Ronald Reagan said, ‘our best path to peace is ensuring our security in preparedness.’” 

Boone shared his latest single entitled, “Where Did America Go?” and noted that he wrote the piece because he was concerned that patriotism was waning, telling The Malibu Times before the event that “America has been divided and we need something to remind us that even when we disagree, we should see the best in one another.” 

At the event, Boone was heartened, declaring that “due to this gathering here, I say let freedom ring! God Bless America and God Bless Malibu!” 

Boone shared old stories with The Malibu Times, noting that Elvis Presley once opened for him, and he had the distinction of having one or more of his songs listed in Billboard’s than any other performers. “I had at least one song listed in the top 100 hits for 4.5 years,” he said.

As for the Veterans Day celebration, Boone opined that Americans need to honor and take care of those who served, and he deems his recording of “Where Did America Go?” to be one of his most important, noting that overall, he has recorded an astounding 2,700 songs, which, he noted, “is more songs than even Bing Crosby recorded.”

When asked what he thought about this year’s celebration of Veterans Day in Malibu, Boone responded, “It was a very important and a very fun party!”