Memorial Day... May 2011

A Time to Remember... Memorial Day 2011







Every May when I was a child Veterans would hand out poppies made of red, white and blue paper on the street as a sign of remembrance for those who died in the service of their country. The poppies were to be used to decorate the graves of the soldiers. At that time it was still called Decoration Day. Over the years the name has changed and Memorial Day is now more often thought of as a three day holiday than as a time to honor the dead.

How we view the military has changed over the years and we see battles in the streets as part of the nightly news. But one thing remains constant... the loss of our men and women in combat. So take a few moments from your celebration this weekend to remember those who have died in the service of their country.



Local Memorial Day events:


Hawthorne

A ceremony for war veterans will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at the Hawthorne Memorial Center, 3901 W. El Segundo Blvd. A free lunch will follow at noon at American Legion Post 314, 14124 Prairie Ave. For information, call 310-675-1313.



Lomita


Lomita VFW Post 1622 will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. Monday at Veterans Park, 25700 Walnut St. (at 257th Street just north of Pacific Coast Highway). A luncheon follows at the VFW Hall, 1865 W. Lomita Blvd. You must have a flier to attend the luncheon. Fliers will be available at the memorial service.

For information, call 310-326-7132.


Redondo Beach

The city of Redondo Beach will hold its annual Memorial Day tribute from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at the new Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park, adjacent to the Redondo Beach Pier

Donations are being accepted for the Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial. For information, visit www.RBVeteransMemorial.com/.

The Redondo Beach Elks Lodge 1378 is sponsoring a Memorial Day barbecue in the Elks parking lot south of the lodge next to the park. The barbecue is free for all veterans and members of the military. A $5 donation is requested for all others.

The Rev. Bhagavan Friend will hold his annual Empty Chair Memorial to America's Fallen Soldiers - All Services - All Wars. The service is dedicated to fighting men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the country.

The ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at 124 Sapphire St. It will feature distinguished speakers, a bagpipe player, harpist, bugler and color guard. Refreshments will be served. Attendees are invited to bring flowers to place around the memorial.

For information, call 310-540-6044 or visit www.emptychair.org/.

American Legion Post No. 184 is hosting a Memorial Day potluck picnic with hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad. The public event is from noon to 3 p.m. Monday at 412 S. Camino Real, Redondo Beach.

Proceeds from donations will be used to purchase calling cards for the troops at Christmas.

Rancho Palos Verdes/Green Hills Memorial Park
The Memorial Day Observance begins at 10 a.m. Monday at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S. Western Ave.


The event include a parade of colors presented by all branches of the armed forces, the mounted posse from the Lomita sheriff's station, musical performance by the 300th Army Band and Cabar Feidh Bagpipe Band, aerial flyovers and the release of 100 doves. Also the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will place roughly 8,000 American flags on the grave sites of veterans at Green Hills.

For information, visit www.greenhillsmemorial.com or call 310-521-4460.