Judy Seckler
GLENDALE -- Memorial Day, a time to remember the American men and
women soldiers whose lives were sacrificed for their country during
wartime, will be observed locally in a variety of ways.
Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day, which is Monday, was
established in 1868 to commemorate the dead from the Civil War. It has
evolved to honor all American soldiers killed or missing in action in all
wars.
Local Memorial Day activities:
* Montrose will hold its annual Memorial Day service at 8 a.m. Monday
at the Vietnam War Memorial at the northwest corner of Ocean View
Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue. The memorial was founded on June 14, 1968,
for soldiers in the community who went to Vietnam and never returned.
Federal, state and city dignitaries are expected to attend.
* Memorial Park, 1201 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge, will host
a full day of events. At 9 a.m., a Vietnam veterans' plaque will be
unveiled. At 10:30 a.m. a Fiesta 2000 Memorial parade will be held at
Cornishon Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. From noon to 5 p.m., the park
hosts a picnic with music performed by Captain Cardiac and the
Coronaries.
* In Glendale, a Memorial Day program at the City Hall Veterans
Memorial, held in conjunction with Chamber of Commerce and various
veterans' associations, will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the corner of
Broadway and Isabel Street. The program will feature master of ceremonies
Larry Zarian, keynote speaker Rep. James Rogan, speeches, an appearance
by Assemblyman Scott Wildman, performances by children from the Character
and Ethics program and a color guard.
* Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale invites the public to a
Memorial Day program at 11 a.m. featuring a patriotic musical tribute
performed by the Blue Pacific Swing Band. The band will play wartime
favorites such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and
"American Patrol." Also on the program are the posting and presentation
of colors and a rifle salute by Glendale's Delta Company, 3rd Battalion,
California Army National Guard; placement of a memorial wreath; and a
rendition of taps by Boy Scout Troup 58 bugler Walter Salvari Jr. All
services are free and open to the public.
* McCambridge Park in Burbank has a Memorial Day program at 11 a.m. by
the memorial at the corner of Amherst Drive and San Fernando Road. The
program includes the "ceremony of the rose," a flyover by the Condor
Squadron and performances by Burbank High School students. The park is at
1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
* The Disabled Americans Veterans will sponsor a Memorial Day ceremony
at 2 p.m. at 1115 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. A potluck dinner will
follow. For more information, call (818) 845-2593.
