A DAY OF HONOR UNFLAGGING DEVOTION SHOWN BY, AND FOR, VETS.Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer MISSION HILLS - Veterans Day was marked Friday with patriotic parades, solemn ceremonies and words of thanks for the servicemen and -women serving overseas and those who served in earlier wars. In the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , some 15,000 spectators lined Laurel Canyon Boulevard Laurel Canyon Boulevard is a major street in the city of Los Angeles, California. It starts off at Polk Street in Sylmar in the northern San Fernando Valley near the junction of the San Diego (Interstate 405) and the Golden State Freeways (Interstate 5). , cheering and waving flags as color guards, military units and high school bands marched by. ``It made me feel so appreciated; I feel so overwhelmed,'' said Army Sgt. Christina Gecse, the parade's grand marshal Grand Marshal is a ceremonial, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "Marshal" with the first usage of the term "Grand Marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders. , who is headed back to Iraq next month for her third tour of duty in the war-torn Mideast. ``I had to fight back some tears out there.'' Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. spoke at the fifth annual ``Tribute to Filipino World War II'' Veterans Day Mass, and the Santa Clarita Veterans Historical Committee held a ceremony, featuring a flag ceremony, name reading and a musical tribute. The city of Burbank held a ceremony at the McCambridge Park War Memorial, while others gathered at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Hollywood Hills for a ``Salute to POWs.'' World War II veterans - the ``Greatest Generation'' - were to be honored at a Friday evening ceremony at Chatsworth United Methodist Church United Methodist Church, in the United States, religious body formed by the union in 1968 of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church (see Methodism). . At the Valley's parade, many of the flag-waving spectators said their own military service, or that of relatives and friends, made them more keenly aware of the debt owed to the nation's veterans. ``We need to honor our soldiers, whether we agree with the war or not,'' said Keith Smith, 44, who had served in the Army. ``We're free because of what they have done for us.'' Smith said he brought his son Justin, 11, and friend Ryan Peterson, 11, to watch the parade to help them realize the importance of the holiday. ``I think that having Veterans Day off and going to the mall isn't really serving our veterans.'' Justin pronounced the parade ``cool'' because it featured vets such as his dad, and Ryan said he liked it because ``I'd rather see the actual people who fought in the wars and not just the people in movies.'' Alma Ruiz, 31, of North Hills, who served in the Marine Corps just after the Persian Gulf War Persian Gulf War or Gulf War (1990–91) International conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. Though justified by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on grounds that Kuwait was historically part of Iraq, the invasion was presumed to be , came to cheer her twin sisters, Claudia and Veronica Alberto, 14, of Panorama City, who marched with the Monroe High School For other uses, see James Monroe High School. Monroe High School may refer to:
``I was in the military, and I know how difficult it is,'' Ruiz said, adding that she still hopes her sisters consider serving as well. ``For women, it teaches you to be more confident and once you've done this, you can do anything.'' Korean War Korean War, conflict between Communist and non-Communist forces in Korea from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. At the end of World War II, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into Soviet (North Korean) and U.S. (South Korean) zones of occupation. vet Jose Hernandez, 75, of San Fernando said he was pleased to see so many young people in the crowd. ``Our military clothes may not fit us anymore,'' Hernandez said, as he tugged on his old Air Force uniform. ``But our dedication, and our love for our country, is still the same.'' Melissa Valentine, 14, of Van Nuys, a member of the Kennedy High School drill team and marching band, said she was proud to support veterans and represent her school. ``It really means a lot to me just to be out here supporting our troops,'' Valentine said. ``It's important to our country.'' Lisa M. Sodders, (818) 713-3663 lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 5 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Danielle Drake, 8, of Los Angeles helps set out flags at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs on Friday. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer (2) Vietnam veteran Fernando Sanchez of Panorama City; he's granddaughter Priscilla; his wife, Lerina; and his sister-in-law Christina Sanchez participate in the Veterans Day Candle Light Vigil in Van Nuys on Friday. Evan Yee/Staff Photographer (3) A model of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Three ships in the United States Navy have been named USS Theodore Roosevelt after President Theodore Roosevelt.
David Sprague/Staff Photographer (4) Below, members of San Fernando VFW See Video for Windows. Post 3854 wave to paradegoers. (5) Members of the Lopez family wait for their own favorite veteran to approach in the Friday parade in Pacoioma. |
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