FOR ALL WHO ARE MISSING ATTACK VICTIMS REMEMBERED AT POW-MIA LOCAL EVENT.PALMDALE - Palmdale's annual POW/MIA POW/MIA Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action remembrance ceremony Saturday had an additional 4,800 missing in action to remember - people believed to be buried in the World Trade Center and Pentagon wreckage. Speaking against a backdrop of U.S. flags at half-staff, community leaders and veterans warned their listeners to be ready for a protracted pro·tract tr.v. pro·tract·ed, pro·tract·ing, pro·tracts 1. To draw out or lengthen in time; prolong: disputants who needlessly protracted the negotiations. 2. war against terrorism and said Tuesday's attacks united Americans of all races, religions and national background. ``We are seeing our country is coming together in a way we haven't seen in my generation,'' Palmdale Mayor James Ledford said. Some 200 people ranging from toddlers to grizzled griz·zled adj. 1. Partly gray or streaked with gray: a grizzled beard. 2. Having fur or hair streaked or tipped with gray. veterans to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Girl Scouts, recreational and service organization founded (1912) in Savannah, Ga., by Mrs. Juliette Gordon Low (1860–1927). It was originally modeled after the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, organizations created in Great Britain by Sir Robert Baden-Powell during gathered Saturday around the veterans memorial at McAdam Park. They watched as a veterans color guard raised U.S., POW/MIA and California flags to the top of a flag pole, then lowered them to half-staff. Speaker after speaker remarked about how shocking the last week has been for Americans. ``I don't think I've ever spent a week where I went around with tears in my eyes In My Eyes was a Boston straight edge band that spearheaded the 1997 youth crew revival along with Ten Yard Fight, Bane, The Trust, Fastbreak and Floorpunch. The band and its members were a part of the hot bed that was the Boston music scene in the late 90's and early 2000's. like this week,'' Palmdale Mayor pro-tem Mike Dispenza said. Air Force Lt. Col. Celeo Wright, commander of Air Force Plant 42, said he was at home getting ready for work Tuesday when he heard about the attacks. ``I turned on the morning news and I see a plane going into a building. Within five minutes I get a call from my office. Within 10 minutes I am in my office,'' Wright said. ``I have never seen the likes of this in my entire life, and I've been in the military for some 27 years.'' Wright added: ``We need to be unified and prepared for what we are getting ready to face.'' Speakers also said they were proud of the resilience of Americans, talking about people in the World Trade Center or on hijacked airliners telephoning loved ones to say goodbye. The audience applauded at the mention of the airliner passengers believed to have attacked the hijackers on the jet that crashed into Pennsylvania woods. To conclude the ceremony, the audience joined hands and sang ``God Bless America.'' Among the listeners were veterans Bobby McClain and Carl Sutter, both from Rosamond. ``I know a few MIAs,'' said Sutter, a Vietnam veteran. ``It means a hell of alot.'' ``It honors our comrades,'' said McClain, a 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. veteran. MEMORIALS PLANNED LANCASTER - To remember victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, the city of Lancaster The City of Lancaster (2002 population: 133,914) is a local government district with city status in Lancashire, England. Its main town is Lancaster, from which it obtained its city status. Other towns in the district include Morecambe, Heysham, Slyne, and Carnforth. , in association with community organizations, will hold a memorial service at 4 p.m. today at Lancaster City Hall, 44933 Fern Ave. Palmdale will host a memorial service at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Poncitlan Square, 38315 Ninth St. E. CAPTION(S): 3 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 3 -- colror in AV edition only) A color guard lowers the U.S flag, the flag of California The flag of California was first flown during the Bear Flag Revolt as the flag of the California Republic, and a modified version was then adopted by the California State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Hiram Johnson in 1911 as the official state flag. and the POW/MIA flag - to half-staff at ceremonies Saturday at McAdam Park in Palmdale. Above, American Legion American Legion, national association of male and female war veterans, founded (1919) in Paris. Membership is open to veterans of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. members Carl Sutter, left, Charles Hicks and Bobby McClain stand during the McAdam Park ceremonies Saturday. 10-year-old David Wilmot, left, of Lancaster waves an American flag at the POW/MIA remembrance. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer Box: MEMORIALS PLANNED |
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