HONORING OUR VETERANS

from Corona The Guide - 2022 Edition

BUILDING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

PATRIOTISM

IS ALIVE AND TRIUMPHANT IN CORONA

We are blessed to live in America, and CORONA in particular is a very special place. The Chamber works daily to be the voice of business, with a consideration of those who came before us and those who continue to protect our FREEDOMS. We are fortunate to have many local businesses and organizations that boldly celebrate their American pride year-round.

The Chamber treats active-duty military to various programs throughout the year, including: the Legislative Gala (3/26/22); Chamber Golf Classic Tournament (5/26/22); Memorial Mile March (through the Corona Chamber Foundation, 5/28/22); and Salute to the Military, where all veterans, reservists, and active-duty military are honored (11/11/22). The Corona Chamber also takes the lead in putting together an annual program to remember those innocent lives taken in 2001 during the worst attack on U.S. soil (9/11/22).

The City of Corona hosts an annual Main Street Parade, followed by a festival and amazing firework display on Independence Day each year. There is a Veterans Memorial at City Hall, and they also display banners on 6th and Main Streets to honor Corona residents who are actively serving in the military. Norco and Eastvale have military banner programs in their respective cities as well.

American Legion Joe Dominguez Post 742 has a program where they set up, display, and take down American flags throughout the community over eight holidays each year (registration required). This is just one way they encourage an outward display of patriotism, aside from the dozens of events they set up for the community each year. In 2021, they held a Christmas tree fundraiser, where individuals could purchase a tree to be donated to a military family.

The tragic suicide attack of August 26, 2021, where 13 young men and women (11 Marines, one Army Staff Sgt and one Navy Corpsman) were killed hit particularly hard, as several were from the Inland Empire, including Norconian Kareem Nikoui. It was the deadliest day for U.S. troops in Afghanistan in a decade. Businesses everywhere started fundraisers for the families of those affected, and set up memorial tables for those who would never return home.

The City of Norco has an incredible memorial center at George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial Plaza, where Kareem’s name is etched along with other Norconians lost while serving our country. The City is currently working on establishing a local Gold Star Mothers Monument, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022.

Many services exist for local veterans, through the Veterans Affairs Department, VA Clinic, American Legion Post 742, American Legion Post 216, VAREP, and Vets Connect Resource Center through the Corona Public Library. All of these services are right here in Corona. Expand beyond our borders, and countless others exist in our neighboring cities and across the Inland Empire region.

Corona is also home to many Veteranowned businesses. These member entrepreneurs are designated with a symbol in the directory portion of this publication, beginning on page 86. A sort of all Veteranowned business can be found on the Corona Chamber’s online business directory as well, and is updated in real time.

We encourage all to join with us as we honor our service personnel and welcome you to assist in these various events. Contact us at (951) CHAMBER (242-6237) or look us up at MyChamber.org.

CURTIS BLOOM FOR JIM DORSEY COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY JIM DORSEY COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY