Veterans Day

Benjamin Franklin Elementary School students in red-white-and-blue shirts marched out to the blacktop on Thursday with chairs in hand to listen and learn from the sixth annual Veterans Day Assembly. Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students honored 11 visiting veterans and gave speeches in the spirit and history of Veterans Day. "Freedom is not free," said Karina Acevedo, a fourth-grader. "All our thankfulness for our freedom goes to the soldiers and no one else." The assembly started at 8:15 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance led by fifth-grader Brandon Mazariegos.

On Veterans Day this Saturday, 88 years after Germany signed the Armistice to end World War I, we honor and celebrate those who so nobly served our country. There are 25 million veterans from World War I through the Global War on Terrorism. More than 2 million veterans live in California, the most of any state. Congress has been working nonstop to make sure everyone who sacrificed for our country is treated with the respect and care they deserve. Overall, veterans' funding has nearly doubled since 1995.

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.

They sacrifice their time, their safety, often their health and some ultimately their lives. So we want to say thank you to veterans, for their sacrifice for our country's freedoms. As Americans increasingly question our role in the Iraq war, we should make sure that our troops and recent war veterans understand how much we respect them and appreciate their sacrifices. Regardless of the surrounding politics, going overseas to fight for this country has a deep meaning that connects with war heroism throughout American history.

So We Don't Forget! It was 1990. I was traveling the country like a hobo, following the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, sleeping in wheat fields under the stars, living off the land, and learning what I could learn along the way. One crisp October morning I was sitting in a mom and pop diner near the Lochsa River, south of Lolo Pass on the border of Idaho and Montana; writing in my journal. The diner was filled with locals, ranchers, and cowboys; readin' papers, talkin' of the weather and the price of soy. On the walls hung tattered pictures of old soldiers who had served in America's wars from the 'First' to Vietnam.

by Geghard Arakelian Veterans visited Crescenta Valley High School in honor of Veterans' Day and to accompany the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets who put on two ceremonies to commemorate the holiday in the school's auditorium Wednesday morning. The lights dimmed as the AFJROTC cadets went through the drill of their rifle routines on stage under the supervision of their advisor, Air Force Lt. Col. David Worley. Following the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem by the CVHS Charismatic Group and a speech by Cadet Maj. Daniel Cheung, Worley gave a speech.

High school hosts two Veterans Day assembles to honor U.S. soldiers, past and present.Crescenta Valley High School's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps hosted two Veterans Day assemblies Wednesday. Cadet Maj. Daniel Cheung, a senior and squadron commander, gave a speech. "Think about the place that you call home, the people that you consider as friends. Think about your luxuries -- cars, iPods, and even computers," Cheung said. "Now think about how much of that would not be there without the service and sacrifice of these veterans " Among the honored was the school's own co-principal Michael Livingston, who was a U.S. Coast Guard petty officer during the Vietnam War. Capt.

An entourage of about 80 Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders clad in leather and denim jackets made their way to the Glendale (2) Freeway on Sunday morning to embark on a trip to Camp Pendleton Marine base. The Ladies of Harley, the women's auxiliary group of the Glendale-based Harley Owners Group, or HOG, kicked-off the third annual Ladies of Harley Veterans Ride by delivering homemade cookies to nearly 15,000 wounded veterans based at Camp Pendleton."Homemade cookies make you feel good," said Tammy Floria, a Ladies of Harley member.

quiltQuilters record patriotism and peace -- one block at a time.After spending countless hours as a child un-sewing seams on her grandmother's meticulously crafted quilts in Texas, Burbank resident Jan Adams told her dear Nanny that she'd take up quilting the day that "pigs fly." Apparently, she's had a change of heart. Having retired after nearly 40 years as an animation checker at Hanna Barbera and Disney studios in Burbank, Adams took another look at the traditional craft she'd learned from her grandmother.

Jackson Bell After 32 years of rescuing people and putting out fires in his hometown, working for the Glendale Fire Department has been more than just a job for Don Biggs. It has been a way of life. But that lifestyle will soon come to an end as Biggs, the department's assistant fire chief, hangs up his boots Dec. 28 for the last time and retires from the force. He announced Wednesday that he has accepted a position as chief of Warner Bros. Fire and director of emergency services.