Tim Willert
LA CRESCENTA -- Fred Whitaker served in the Army Infantry during World
War II. On Christmas Day 1944, he was hit in the head by shrapnel fired
from the nose cannon of a fighter plane.
Gerald Abrahamson, an Air Force radio operator during the Korean and
Vietnam wars, was shot down over North Korea in 1953 and spent seven
months as a POW.
Whitaker and Abrahamson, members of American Legion Post 127 in
Glendale, have been invited along with local veterans Sonny Sardo and Dr.
Erewanna Zinsmasterto to share their experiences during a Veteran's Day
assembly Friday at Rosemont Middle School.
Both men say the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing war on
terrorism have sparked a renewed patriotism and military interest.
"This is why Veteran's Day is more important than ever," Whitaker said
Tuesday. "It reminds us of the vigilance that is necessary. It reminds us
of young men who must step forward and protect our country."
Abrahamson agreed.
"The military is a very necessary thing, and the people who serve in
the military should be respected instead of being neglected," Abrahamson
said. "In times of peace, we kind of forget about the military in our
daily lives."
The Rosemont production, titled "Generations of Appreciation," will
involve Rosemont students and those from Mountain Avenue Elementary
School.
"It's very much like "A Christmas Carol," said Rosemont teacher
Shannon Estrada, who is coordinating the event.
The veterans will portray ghosts from wars past, seventh- and
eighth-graders will play ghosts from the present and about 20
second-graders will be ghosts from the future.
Veterans who fought in World War II and the Korean, Vietnam and
Persian Gulf wars will be remembered, and students will perform a skit
based on the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City.
"I feel my students need to hear the voices of veterans," said
Estrada, who drew motivation from her father, a Vietnam veteran. "It's
important for them to meet the men and women who have fought for their
country."
IF YOU GO
The following is a list of local Veterans Day events:
* A Wilson Middle School Veterans Day assembly at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Thursday in the school auditorium will pay special tribute to World War
II Air Force veterans. For more information, call 244-8145.
* Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive,
will host its 42nd annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday.
* Five members from the Glendale unit of the California Army National
Guard will present colors as part of Love Ride 18 at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at
Harley-Davidson of Glendale, 3717 San Fernando Road.
* Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale) will speak during a buffet luncheon
hosted by American Legion Post 127, 714 W. Wilson Ave., at noon Monday.
