Freedom

In April 1975, as citizens across the United States were preparing to celebrate the bicentennial of the nation's founding, a commemorative train filled with historic American artifacts set off across the country. Known as the American Freedom Train, the expedition was the brainchild of Ross Rowland Jr., a New York commodities broker and train enthusiast. He first sought financial assistance from the U.S. government, then gained support from several large corporations, including Pepsi, General Motors, Prudential Insurance and Kraft Foods.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1614 and American Legion Post 288 are proposing a plan to restore and expand the war memorial at Two Strike Memorial Park. The plan was to be presented to the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation yesterday, Thursday, May 10. Along with the expansion of the war memorial, the veterans groups are seeking the right to hold their own ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The proposal includes the expansion of the Memorial Wall and the cleaning and refinishing of the existing bronze plaque.

GLENDALE — The setting of the sun Monday evening marked the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover — which celebrates the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. During the eight-day holiday, members of the Jewish faith will reflect on the concepts of freedom and humility, as well as eat special foods to commemorate the occasion, said Rabbi Simcha Backman of the Chabad Jewish Center in Glendale. "It's about realizing that freedom is not an ancient concept, it's real," he said.

The self-expression argument doesn't fly Conflict over view preservation and "mansionization" predates El Tovar, and goes well beyond Glendale's borders. Though it has usually been framed as a property-rights issue, freedom of expression was invoked recently on this page. However novel, I don't think this idea, which Remo Alexandri addresses in a letter, will fly in this context ("City shouldn't be legislating privacy," Mailbag). I can say or write any horrible thing I want to about anyone I choose, and no one can do a thing about it unless, for example, I say it in public or print it in the newspaper.

Wilson Middle School paid a special tribute to veterans of World War II, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom at the school's Veterans Day Assembly on Friday. This is the sixth year the school has hosted a Veterans Day Assembly, said organizer Pete Regli, math and computers teacher. "This is one of the highlights of the year," Regli said. "It's educational and fairly emotional. These guys did something for their fellow man and for their country." The school assembly featured the United States Armed Forces Color Guard, the Wilson Middle School choral and instrumental programs, a video of World War II B-24s, special guests and awards.

Like John L. Gregg, in his Monday letter, "Commentary on rights missed a few," I appreciated Dick Seeley's Community Commentary on the Constitution, "These are still words to live by," Oct. 2. Gregg is bothered, though, that Seeley "did pick and choose" from the Bill of Rights, implying that the right to bear arms was intentionally omitted, in what Gregg calls "typical, liberal fashion." That's quite a leap, as assumptions go, about liberals in general and Seeley, in particular.

GLENDALE — Adult Recreation Center regular Betty Pinney couldn't help but tap her feet to some lively Armenian music Thursday morning, as she watched two dancers perform traditional Armenian folk dances. "It's very different," said Pinney, who is not very familiar with Armenian culture. "It's different from American culture. But the dancers are excellent, very light on their feet. I'm enjoying it very, very much." Though Pinney is not Armenian, she was one of more than 100 seniors who took part in an Armenian Independence Day ceremony at the center's senior café on Thursday — which marked the 15th anniversary of Armenia's independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991.

Rosemont Middle School had their first American Freedom Tour parent meeting on Wednesday night at the campus. Instructor Lynn McGinnis described the Cleveland to Manhattan trip that will combine travel with history. The trip is scheduled for spring break, April 12 through 19, 2007. Any eighth grade student can join the tour with permission from their parent or guardian. The trip will be chaperoned by Principal Sally Buckley, McGinnis and several Rosemont teachers.

September 11, another day of infamy to remember. The unspeakable brutality of Sept. 11, 2001, shocked our senses, changed our lives and caused all Americans to stop and reassess what is important and what we hold near and dear. We watched with shock and disbelief as the symbols of our military, economic and entrepreneurial strength and freedom were attacked with horrific loss of life and property. All civilized people were shocked at the violence and viciousness of the terrorist attacks of Sept.