SLO County salutes veterans with ceremonies and celebrations

The Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted a Veterans Day celebration on the pier Thursday.

It was just one of several held throughout San Luis Obispo County paying tribute to all those who have served in the United States armed forces.

Celebrations of the holiday were also held at the Faces of Freedom Memorial in Atascadero, at the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum in San Luis Obispo and at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cambria.

On Saturday, San Luis Obispo County veterans can get in free to Cal Poly’s football game against Idaho State.

At the Pismo Beach event, a special thank you was given to Warren Addison, a retired rank chief master sergeant from the Air Force who has organized the event for the last 20 years.

About 100 people turned out for the ceremony, which was held at the base of the Pismo Beach Pier under sunny skies and just a little wind.

Arroyo Grande resident Cheryl Tolan, founder of the Welcome Home Military Heroes group, served as master of ceremonies for the event.

“The ceremony is very special to me, as I have family that have served this country,” Tolan said. “I’m the wife of a Navy veteran and the mother of an Army combat veteran. Veterans Day is special because we celebrate the living veterans. It’s very near and dear to our hearts.”