Tustin Veterans Day Car Show 11/08
Tim McNiff, The Editor | Published on 11/8/2025
The Club attendees had been given a load-in time window, so I left Glendale in plenty of time to get to Tustin and meet up with Phil Caliva and Bob Clark a block away from the show. However, the freeway turned into a slow- moving parking lot from Elysian Park south to the I-10. Traffic moved well after passing the lone CHP vehicle sitting on the shoulder, and I arrived in Tustin with time to spare. Met up with Bob, but no Phil. Turns out he was parked directly across from the show entrance. We all joined up and got in line to enter the parking lot.
We were assigned four spaces for our two Healeys and Phil’s 1935 Dodge Brothers pickup with service flags honoring all branches of the Armed Forces. Phil had brought donuts and the show was providing free coffee so after breakfast we settled in.
There was a lot of veteran conversation – where were you stationed and what was your job? Sometime after 10am we were joined by Monica Lago-Kaytis who was driving solo with husband Clay out of town. She arrived in time for the opening ceremonies: the presentation of the Colors, National Anthem by the reigning Miss Tustin, and remarks from the Mayor. Then the entertainment started with a rousing musical and dance set by the Satin Girls.
With a number of food trucks on hand, the lunch choices ranged from Nashville Hot Chicken to tacos and burritos and various ice creams for dessert. We didn’t win any awards at the show. But, the camaraderie of the vets in attendance and the beautiful day was an award in itself.