Memorial Day observances planned for throughout Los Angeles, Orange counties
LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- The unveiling of new memorial plates at the Honoring Our Fallen Memorial Wall in Long Beach will be among the ways Memorial Day will be marked in Los Angeles and Orange counties Monday.
The newly added plates will honor individuals who died in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, the Global War on Terrorism, first responders and those who died from suicide, according to Laura Herzog, the founder, CEO and director of programs for Honoring Our Fallen.
The reading of the nearly 7,000 names of Americans who have died in combat and training exercises since the 9/11 attacks as reported by U.S. Central Command began at 5:45 a.m. at Rosie the Riveter Park in Long Beach. Members of Gold Star families, local active-duty military members, law enforcement officers, first responders and veterans will assist in reading the names in order of death as inscribed on the park's memorial wall.
The reading is expected to be completed at approximately 1 p.m., according to Herzog.
Special paper and charcoal pencils will be available for name rubbings family and friends can make of their loved ones or friends' names and take with them.
Honoring Our Fallen describes itself as "dedicated to serving our nation's fallen and the families these heroes have left behind by providing comprehensive support.''
Other Memorial Day events in Los Angeles County include parades in Canoga Park and La Canada Flintridge and ceremonies at various cemeteries and parks.
The 34th Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Sherman Way and Owensmouth Avenue and proceed east to Cozycroft Avenue. Its theme is "Saluting the Price of Freedom.''
The parade will combine "all the tradition along with some new ideas to make the parade safe and fun as we remember those that gave their lives for our freedom,'' according to a statement from the board of directors of the
Canoga Park Community Center Foundation that conducts the parade.
The opening ceremony will start at 10 a.m. The grand marshal will be U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Dave Barnes, who was raised in the West San Fernando Valley.
The La Canada Flintridge Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Cornishon Avenue and travel east along Foothill Boulevard to Gould Avenue. Its theme is "America 250 Red, White & Blue.''
The grand marshal will be Joe Puglia, a former Marine Corps officer, author and retired professor. A memorial service preceding the parade will be held at 9 a.m. at Memorial Park.
Memorial Day observances will be held at 10 a.m. at Forest Lawn memorial parks in Covina Hills, Hollywood Hills and Long Beach and 1 p.m. at Forest Lawn's Glendale memorial park.
An outdoor Mass honoring U.S. armed forces members who died in service will be celebrated by Archbishop Josà H. Gomez at 10 a.m. at San Fernando Mission Cemetery and Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary in Mission Hills.
In Orange County, Memorial Day ceremonies were planned for Mission Viejo at 8:30 a.m., La Palma at 9 a.m., Fullerton at 9:45 a.m., Dana Point, Fountain Valley and Irvine at 10 a.m., the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and
Museum in Yorba Linda at 10:30 a.m. and Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Lake Forest and San Clemente at 11 a.m.
In his Memorial Day proclamation, President Donald Trump proclaimed Monday as a day of prayer for permanent peace, designating 11 a.m. in each time zone as a time during which people may unite in prayer, citing a 1950 joint resolution by Congress.
Trump also asked all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3 p.m. in each time zone under a bill signed into law in 2000 by then-President Bill Clinton. It was first held on Memorial Day in 2000 under a proclamation by Clinton in an attempt "to reclaim Memorial Day as the noble event it was intended to be, to honor those who died in service to our nation.''
The Moment of Remembrance is a "way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day,'' its founder Carmella LaSpada said.
Trump's proclamation also requested governors of all U.S. states and territories and the appropriate officials of all units of government to direct that flags be flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds and naval vessels throughout nation and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control.
"The greatest fighting force the world has ever known is built upon the extraordinary service of selfless men and women who safeguard our liberty and preserve our way of life,'' Trump declared in his proclamation. "Since the birth of our nation nearly 250 years ago, countless souls have lost their lives in this noble and righteous pursuit. On Memorial Day, we honor these American heroes.
"Today, we especially remember the 13 members of the joint force who have fallen in support of Operation Epic Fury to defend our national security and preserve the blessings of liberty for future generations,'' Trump continued. "These warfighters lost their lives for freedom's cause and we will never forget the cost.''
What became Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, as Decoration Day, a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the Civil War dead with flowers.
It was established 25 days earlier by Maj. Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of veterans who fought for the Union in the Civil War. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the nation.
By the end of the 19th century, Decoration Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. After World War I, the holiday was changed to honor Americans who died fighting in all wars.
The term Memorial Day was first used in 1882, became more common after World War II and declared the official name by federal law in 1967.
Memorial Day had been observed on May 30, until being moved to the last Monday in May in 1971 under terms of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which became law in 1968.
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