Decorated Combat Veteran Colonel Juan M. Mora to Headline Pasadena’s Veterans Day Celebration

As the nation honors its military personnel, Pasadena’s Veterans Day commemoration on Monday morning will feature a distinguished leader who exemplifies a lifetime of service, alongside a dramatic aerial tribute and recognition of locally deployed Marines.

Colonel Juan M. Mora, current 40th Infantry Division, Chief of Staff, at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, CA, will deliver the keynote address at the city’s Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.

The event will pay special tribute to the 2D Battalion 23D Marine Corps Regiment, who has been deployed for a yearlong term of duty, with a special Yellow Ribbon Ceremony. Adding to the ceremony’s significance, the Condor Squadron will conduct a flyover above City Hall at precisely 11:11 a.m.

Commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1997 after graduating from California State University, Fullerton, Colonel M. Mora was first assigned to B Co,1-184th Infantry Battalion, California Army National Guard where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader. He then served as a Platoon Leader with D Co, 2-127 Infantry Battalion, Wisconsin Army National Guard from 1997 to 1999. His distinguished decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Ranger Tab, and Combat Infantry Badge. He currently serves as a Level III, Joint Qualified Officer.

James Zenner, Director of Los Angeles County Military and Veteran Affairs, will also provide invited remarks. Zenner enlisted in the United States Army from April 2004 to April 2008, completing one deployment in support of Iraqi Freedom as an All Source Intelligence Analyst from 2006-2007 with 1-14 Cav, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He went on to serve in the United States Army Reserve from April 2008 to May 2011. He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Martin’s University.

The event will feature interactive exhibits and activities for both adults and children, including free hot dogs served by Pasadena Fire Fighters Local 809. Information and exhibits will be available from the California State Guard, Military Museum, Martin Severance Chapter, NSDAR, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Veteran and Military Affairs, and Pasadena Police Department.

This event is also supported by the Office of LA County Supervisor Barger, The Rose Bowl Stadium and Pasadena Management Association.