2025 Veterans Day Ceremony Slated to Honor Veterans in Healthcare
The 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 5, at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Veterans Peace Memorial. This year’s ceremony commemorates the 32nd anniversary of the memorial’s dedication. All veterans are invited to attend and be honored. The community is also welcome to attend.
While all veterans are honored at the event, each year, Fresno City College gives special recognition to a particular group of veterans. This year, the ceremony will salute the veterans in healthcare. Wednesday’s event will pay tribute to these special veterans and acknowledge their service and sacrifices they continue to make while helping those in need.
The keynote speaker this year is Dr. Kathleen Rindahl who is an Associate Professor and Director of the School of Nursing at California State University, Fresno. A proud U.S. Navy veteran and a Hospital Corpsman, she served on a Rapid Medical Deployment Force—an experience that ignited her lifelong passion for service, education, and community health.
With more than 35 years of nursing experience, Dr. Rindahl has dedicated her career to advancing healthcare access and education. Before transitioning to academia, she served for over a decade as a Migrant and Public Health Nurse with the Fresno County Office of Education, delivering care to underserved rural populations through a 60-foot mobile health trailer. In 2015, she founded Fresno State’s Mobile Health Program, which has since expanded to over 290 clinical sites, serving nearly 18,000 patients and engaging more than 4,200 students from nursing, kinesiology, dietetics, social work, and other health disciplines.
Johnny Fisher, a former United States Navy Veteran, will be recognized and presented the Citizen Soldier Award. Fisher has dedicated his life to service, leadership, and personal growth. His career includes serving on active duty from 1992–1996 during Desert Storm, followed by roles as a Madera County Correctional Officer and a 20-year career with the California Highway Patrol, retiring in 2022. He currently serves as a Recruit Training Officer and Adjunct Instructor at the Fresno City College Police Academy.. The ceremony will also include bagpipes, the presentation of a memorial wreath, a rifle salute and Echo Taps.
Program overview:
Pre-concert Music Fresno City College Symphonic Band
Directed by Ms. Elisha Wells, FCC Instructor
Master of Ceremonies
Mr. LeNas Vangay
Interim Director, FCC Veterans Resource Center
Welcome
Ms. Denise Whisenhunt
Fresno City College President
Presentation of Colors
AUSA – Association of the United States Army Color Guard
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Rin Her. FCC Student
National Anthem
Ms. Margot Kim, ABC30 News Anchor
Invocation
Dr. Terry Rommereim
Former Lead Veterans Administration Chaplain
Remarks
Dr. Carole Goldsmith
Chancellor, State Center Community College District
History of Veterans Day
Mr. Kevin Robbins, US Army Veteran
Armed Forces Salute
Arranged by Bob Lowden | Fresno City College Symphonic Band
Narrator – Mr. Paul Lucckesi, FCC Instructor and Music Department Chair
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kathleen Rindahl, US Navy Veteran, Director of the School of Nursing, Fresno State
Citizen Soldier Award
Mr. Johnny Fisher presented by Ms. Michelle Smith, Interim Vice President of Student Services
Presentation of Wreath
Mr. Scott Porteous FCC Faculty Emeritus
Wreath donated by Dr. Sylvia Sanchez
Rifle Salute (21 Gun Salute) Honor Guard, American Legion Post 509
Echo Taps
Mr. Rodger Lopez (Taps) and Mr. Chris Hatfield (Echo)
AUSA Sounds of Freedom
Recessional Music by the Fresno City College Symphonic Band
Directed by Ms. Elisha Wells, FCC Music Instructor
History of Veterans Peace Memorial
2025 marks the 32nd anniversary of the Veterans Peace Memorial at Fresno City College. The memorial was dedicated on November 9, 1993, after three years of planning, fundraising, and construction. The memorial was placed on the grassy knoll in what is now known as Veterans Square. The monument is surrounded on three sides by the “Court of Honor,” which was dedicated on May 3, 1995. The “Court” displays memorial plaques and benches. The “Court of Honor” is an appropriate reminder of the wars and conflicts fought by our citizen-soldiers to preserve our freedom.
State Center Community College District
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