Memorial Day marked with events across Southland
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (BDCi) – Many Memorial Day events are being held across the Southland on Monday to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military.
In Riverside, more than 7,000 motorcycle enthusiasts were expected to participate in the 13th Annual West Coast Thunder event.
Elsewhere, a 24-hour vigil is being held at the Mexican All Wars Memorial. Veterans were taking turns standing watch every 30 minutes to salute fallen service members.
Other Southland commemorations include the 27th Annual Memorial Day Observance at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The two-hour event, billed as the Southland’s largest annual Memorial Day observance it expected to draw about 5,000 people this year.
The program will include aerial flyovers, a parade of colors from all branches of the armed forces, a 21-gun salute and a musical tribute from the 300th Army Band.
The keynote speaker will be retired Navy Lt. Michael Thornton, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving the life of a fellow SEAL during a firefight in the Vietnam War.
In the San Fernando Valley, the Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade kicks off at Owensmouth Avenue and Sherman Way. The parade’s theme is “All Gave, Some, Some Gave All.” The grand marshal will be 91-year-old World War II veteran Constantine Salvalas.
By: Natania Levine
Courtesy: ktla.com
Photo: ktla.com
28 May 2012
10:01 a.m. P.D.T