Cathedral City Councilmember Rita Lamb and Local Students Featured at Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026

Students from Cathedral City and Sunny Sands elementary schools will read their winning "Thank You Letter to Veterans" entries at Desert Memorial Park

Cathedral City Councilmember Rita Lamb will join local students, veterans and Gold Star families at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Desert Memorial Park, 31-705 Da Vall Drive in Cathedral City. Honoring all of our nation's war dead and veterans, the ceremony is sponsored by American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 66 and the Jon Castro Chapter of Veterans For Peace. It is free and open to the public.

Cathedral City Students Say Thank You

Students from two Cathedral City schools, Cathedral City Elementary School and Sunny Sands Elementary School, competed this year to write the best essay or poem titled "Thank You Letter to Veterans." Two winners were selected from each school, for a total of four.

Lamb, a retired elementary school principal, will introduce each winner and invite them to read their letter. She will then present each student with a $100 cash prize.

Lamb has represented District One on the Cathedral City Council since 2019 and has sponsored veterans' events for several years. She received the "Friend of the Veteran Award" a few years ago and a Peace Day Award this year.

Speakers and Honorees

The program will also feature Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem David Ready, Rancho Mirage Mayor Lynn Mallotto and James Apedaile, national president of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER). Lee Wilson of the Fallen Heroes Project will introduce Gold Star family members, each of whom will be invited to speak and will receive a rose.

The ceremony will also honor a deputy from the Sheriff's Department; Natalina Garritano, a World War II survivor who was rescued by an American Army soldier; and World War II Marine Corps veteran Dorothee Irwin.

Music and Closing Tributes

Prince Fleet Easton, who has a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame, will perform the music for the ceremony. Paul Cain and Kurtt Jacobowitz will sing the national anthem. Bishop Nick Sakis of Cathedral City will lead the benediction, and Bryon Wirth will play Taps.