Memorial Day

June 5, 1942: That was the last time the United States officially declared war. It was Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria that earned our wrath that day for their decision to side with the Axis powers in World War II. America lost more than 400,000 of its "Greatest Generation" to that war. Throughout our history, more than one million Americans have given their lives for their country. They are the ones that we remember and honor on Memorial Day. Every American generation has sent the finest of their youth to fight for the United States.

A sea of red, white and blue stretched for a mile down Foothill Boulevard on Monday as hundreds of Foothill residents got out their lawn chairs and took their seats along the street for the annual Memorial Day parade. The event doesn't change much from year to year, but it's the sense of community that keeps people coming back, La Cañada Flintridge resident Catharine Mieding said. "It's a fun community activity to see all the kids, the preschools, the high schools," she said, adding that she and her husband have been attending the parade for more than 20 years.

Metrolink closed on Memorial Day Metrolink will not run its regularly scheduled trains Monday in honor of Memorial Day, spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell said. The regional commuter rail service will resume its usual service on Tuesday. For more information and timetables, check www.metrolinktrains.com or call (800) 371-5465.   Metro authority adopts budget The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Thursday that its board of directors adopted a $3.4-billion budget for the next fiscal year, officials said.

Gretchen Hoffman La Canada Unified School District Sept. 4: First day of school for students. Oct. 31: Buy back day. Nov. 12: Veterans Day. Nov. 13: Second quarter begins. Nov. 19-23: Thanksgiving break. Dec. 24-Jan. 4: Winter break. Jan. 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Feb. 1: Teacher work day. Feb. 4: Third quarter begins. Feb. 18-19: Washington Day. April 8-12: Spring break. April 16: Fourth quarter begins.

Claudia Peschiutta GLENDALE -- A day of joyous celebration for thousands of local Armenians was followed Sunday by one of somber remembrance. As Christmas festivities for Armenians and others who observe the holiday Jan. 6 ended Saturday, many area residents prepared to reflect on those who could not present for the occasion. Services held Sunday at St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church and Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills commemorated "Merelots," a memorial day for the dead.

Jackson Bell For four local families, Memorial Day will not just be about honoring the country's fallen soldiers. They will be mourning their sons, who were killing in Iraq this past year. The men -- Eric Ayon, Todd Bryant, Donald J. Cline Jr. and Rel Ravago IV -- will be added to the Glendale Veterans Memorial, on a new wall for the war in Iraq. Although the black granite slab will not be completed until July, a mock-up with the names will be at Monday's ceremony.

Memorial Day services planned The Montrose Shopping Park Association and Montrose-Verdugo Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Memorial Day tribute honoring veterans on May 25. The event is from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Vietnam War Memorial at the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue. A Memorial Day service is also being hosted by the VFW Post 1614 and American Legion Post 288 at 8 a.m. at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave. at La Crescenta. The public is encouraged to attend a service.

Sunday morning, while driving on Foothill Boulevard, I became very upset as I passed one American flag after the other flying valiantly in remembrance of Memorial Day, despite their pitiful condition. Most of the flags were filthy, many of them were worn thin, and many were frayed. During the tragedy of Sept. 11, our flags were flown for a long period of time, but budget crisis or not, if we can spend money on other memorials, then we can certainly allot funds for the replacement of these worn flags.

The names of the following men with ties to Glendale will be added to the Glendale Veterans Memorial during the annual Memorial Day ceremony May 31 outside City Hall: VIETNAM WAR Joseph L. Ostifin. Arnold C. Pearson. Keith L. Ware. WORLD WAR II Rex G. Blalack. Robert F. McNeill. James E. Rosebrough. Robert N. Stoaks. A memorial to remember those who lost their lives while serving in Iraq, titled "Protecting Our Freedom," will be dedicated at the ceremony.

INDEX Around Town, A4 Business, A3 Classifieds, A7-8 Community Forum, A2 Sports, A5-6 WEATHER Mostly sunny skies, with highs in the mid- to upper 80s. JEFF KEATING ... has the day off. HOLIDAY CLOSURES The following places will be closed today in observance of the Memorial Day holiday: All city offices, including City Hall. All post offices. All national and state government agencies, including Social Security and DMV. The offices of the News-Press and Burbank Leader.