Community Link Newsletter: June 6-13, 2024

Honor Service Members in our Field of Valor  

As the Fourth of July approaches, members of the community are invited to honor veterans, active duty, or fallen service members through our Field of Valor at the Irvine Civic Center Lawn. 

Honor a loved one by sponsoring a Field of Valor flag, which will be on display July 1-14. Flag sponsorship is $65 per flag, benefitting the 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee, and available through Friday, June 21. Sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-served basis at cityofirvine.org/fieldofvalor.

The Fourth of July Field of Valor is presented in partnership with the 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee. Learn more at cityofirvine.org/fieldofvalor. 

City of Irvine Awarded Bronze Designation for Solar Efforts

Are you interested in going solar? Through the City of Irvine's Solarize Irvine program, you can learn about the benefits and basics of going solar while supporting the City's ambitious goal of carbon neutrality. 

The City's efforts to improve public access to information about solar energy (including financial incentives, consumer protection, and local installers), have resulted in the City being awarded a bronze designation from SolSmart for advancing the growth of clean, affordable solar energy. We are proud to be a national leader in encouraging residents and businesses to go solar. 

You can learn more about going solar and renewable energy at cityofirvine.org/gosolar.

Great Park Partners Honor Land's Past 

The Great Park has a rich historical legacy as the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro — operating from 1943 until its decommissioning in 1999. In honor of this legacy, a new, state-of-the-art Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum will open in  2026, relocating from its recent home at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and will serve as a homecoming for military aircraft originally stationed at El Toro. 

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the City of Irvine is welcoming military aircraft back to the Great Park. Forty aircraft that will be on display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum — the only museum dedicated to United States Marine Corps aviation.

To learn more about the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, visit flyingleathernecks.org. For details on the future of the Great Park, visit greatparkframework.org.

Make a Splash and Swim Safely!

Mark your calendars to make a splash Friday, June 21, for the Super Swim Lesson and Splash-in Movie! Participate in a worldwide effort to raise awareness for drowning prevention at the William J. Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.

Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to sign up for the one-time lesson to be held at 6 p.m. Then, stay for the free recreation swim that includes a water slide, giant inflatable, and diving boards. Trolls Band Together plays on the big screen beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Lifeguards will be on duty. For recreation swim, an adult one-on-one in the water must accompany children 6 and younger. Swim test required for deep-water activities, or Coast Guard approved lifejacket required. For more information, visit irvineaquatics.org or call 949-724-6717.

Juneteenth 

Learn about Black culture as well as the history and significance of Juneteenth at our third annual Freedom Celebration at the Great Park Palm Court Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Presented by BIPOC Orange County, this free event will feature interactive activities, local organizations, and live performances. Free parking is available on-site. Food trucks will be available for visitors to purchase food. Visit irvinejuneteenth.com for more information. 

This Week in DE&I

There are many cultural and religious holidays celebrated and recognized throughout our community this month. Learn about some of the significant dates being observed in Irvine below and on our DE&I calendar.

June 6: D-Day
On June 6, 1944, 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily-fortified coast of France's Normandy region. The invasion was one of the largest military assaults in history and required extensive planning. The invasion resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany control. By late August 1944, all of northern France was liberated, and shortly after, the Allies defeated the German army. The D-Day landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe. 

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