Veteran's Day in San Fernando - November 17, 2011
Veteran's Day in San Fernando
A community falls out to honor those responsible for the home of the brave, in the land of the free
By Frankie Firme, Contributing Editor
Published on LatinoLA: November 15, 2011
On a day that was forecast to be rainy and gloomy, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and thousands of proud Americans lined Laurel Canyon Boulevard from San Fernando to Pacoima, and celebrated Veteran's Day with the 8th Annual San Fernando Valley Veteran's Day Parade and other festivities.
Starting at 11:11 am, on November 11th, 2011, with an overhead flight of WW II Vintage aircraft, the parade was led by the San Fernando High School marching band and drill team, followed by military units, cadet units, other marching bands, Veteran's on Harley~Davidson motorcycles, celebrities in vintage automobiles, and proud WW II, Korean, Viet Nam, and Persian Gulf War Veteran's groups and floats.
Riding on one of the floats with my brother Veterans, I felt my chest swell, a lump form in my throat, and my eyes water, as the enthusiastic crowd cheered and held complimentary signs of "Thank you" that made every Vet in the parade feel appreciated and honored....something a lot of us from the Viet Nam era felt was long overdue....and it felt damned good!
A truly memorable occasion on a truly beautiful day, much thanks goes out to Congressman Howard Berman and the San Fernando Valley Veteran's Day Parade committee for making it happen once again...a tradition lives on in the San Fernando Valley.
After the parade, a free bar-b-que was offered to the public, compliments of the Veterans at the historic San Fernando American Legion Post 176, which was well attended by hundreds of Veterans and their families, along with a grateful community.
The San Fernando-Pacoima-Sylmar area is well known for having sent their sons and daughters off to serve in the military in every major campaign serving our Country since World War I, and the pride was thick and evident in the air amongst us all.
Afterwards, with singer SARAH MORGAN performing a heart touching version of our National Anthem, and Post Chaplain Beatrice McCarty giving an opening invocation prayer, I was honored to narrate and participate in an American Flag Retirement Ceremony that included local SFV Veterans Eddie Landin, Edmund Chavez, Daniel "Devil Dog Dan" Rodriguez, Larry Jurado, David Castrellon, Art Valdez and Tommy Trava.
A traditional playing of "Taps " was performed by Viet Nam Veteran and former U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division Paratrooper Richard Novoa.
Closing the ceremony was another heart touching version of an American patriotic song, "God bless America," sung by 9-year-old Nadia Najar, whose grandfather and great grandfather are members of the San Fernando American Legion Post.
A couple of hours later, the San Fernando Valley Marine Corps League put on their final "Friday Night at the Legion" Dance for 2011 with a blockbuster show, dinner, & dance, featuring two of California's top performing and recording artists.
Being honored once again to have MC and House DJ duties, I was privileged to introduce the California King of West Coast Latin Jazz, BOB DeSENA, who played and sang his heart for the crowd, along with his talented group, at times coming off stage and singing while mingling amongst the appreciative crowd on the dance floor, drawing applause and ovations.
Bob's dazzling solos on vibraphone dropped a lot of mouths open, as this instrument is not common among today's performing artists...but sure makes the moment when it's masterfully played...and their ain't no better current master than Bob DeSena!
If that wasn't impressive enough, Bob stuck around afterwards to dance and mingle with the crowd, and later came back on stage to join the next group for a song.
All the way from San Jose, joined by a "couple of friends from East L.A.," the fabulous KOOL KATZ, featuring dynamic lead singer KELLY "the Kat" GALVAN, came on stage joined by TIERRA members percussionist DALE VILLAVICENCIO and the brass section of JEFF LEWIS, VICTOR CISNEROS and RUDY VILLA, last minute additions that pleased a most grateful and entertained crowd.
You could see the sweat dripping down foreheads as all the band members put forth a dazzling display of talent and respect for the honored Veterans in the house, drawing loud applause and standing ovations after their knockout performance....and of course, the customary call for an ¡Otra! (encore)
The moment and music was simply off the chain, as a packed, standing room only house, and full dance floor for almost five hours, was testament to the celebration of love and life in a free Country,, celebrated by a grateful community and the men and women of the hour responsible for that freedom....
...our honorable U.S. Military veterans.
Thanks again, you guys! You will never be forgotten!
About Frankie Firme, Contributing Editor:
Frankie Firme is the Al Capone of the microphone and the Hitman of West Coast Chicano Soul heard daily on Internet radio station www.eastLArevue.com, and is an honorably discharged U.S. Marine and U.S. Army Soldier.
Author's website
Email the author
http://www.latinola.com/story.php?story=10117#.TsLUvtLnxKk.facebook
A community falls out to honor those responsible for the home of the brave, in the land of the free
By Frankie Firme, Contributing Editor
Published on LatinoLA: November 15, 2011
On a day that was forecast to be rainy and gloomy, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and thousands of proud Americans lined Laurel Canyon Boulevard from San Fernando to Pacoima, and celebrated Veteran's Day with the 8th Annual San Fernando Valley Veteran's Day Parade and other festivities.
Starting at 11:11 am, on November 11th, 2011, with an overhead flight of WW II Vintage aircraft, the parade was led by the San Fernando High School marching band and drill team, followed by military units, cadet units, other marching bands, Veteran's on Harley~Davidson motorcycles, celebrities in vintage automobiles, and proud WW II, Korean, Viet Nam, and Persian Gulf War Veteran's groups and floats.
Riding on one of the floats with my brother Veterans, I felt my chest swell, a lump form in my throat, and my eyes water, as the enthusiastic crowd cheered and held complimentary signs of "Thank you" that made every Vet in the parade feel appreciated and honored....something a lot of us from the Viet Nam era felt was long overdue....and it felt damned good!
A truly memorable occasion on a truly beautiful day, much thanks goes out to Congressman Howard Berman and the San Fernando Valley Veteran's Day Parade committee for making it happen once again...a tradition lives on in the San Fernando Valley.
After the parade, a free bar-b-que was offered to the public, compliments of the Veterans at the historic San Fernando American Legion Post 176, which was well attended by hundreds of Veterans and their families, along with a grateful community.
The San Fernando-Pacoima-Sylmar area is well known for having sent their sons and daughters off to serve in the military in every major campaign serving our Country since World War I, and the pride was thick and evident in the air amongst us all.
Afterwards, with singer SARAH MORGAN performing a heart touching version of our National Anthem, and Post Chaplain Beatrice McCarty giving an opening invocation prayer, I was honored to narrate and participate in an American Flag Retirement Ceremony that included local SFV Veterans Eddie Landin, Edmund Chavez, Daniel "Devil Dog Dan" Rodriguez, Larry Jurado, David Castrellon, Art Valdez and Tommy Trava.
A traditional playing of "Taps " was performed by Viet Nam Veteran and former U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division Paratrooper Richard Novoa.
Closing the ceremony was another heart touching version of an American patriotic song, "God bless America," sung by 9-year-old Nadia Najar, whose grandfather and great grandfather are members of the San Fernando American Legion Post.
A couple of hours later, the San Fernando Valley Marine Corps League put on their final "Friday Night at the Legion" Dance for 2011 with a blockbuster show, dinner, & dance, featuring two of California's top performing and recording artists.
Being honored once again to have MC and House DJ duties, I was privileged to introduce the California King of West Coast Latin Jazz, BOB DeSENA, who played and sang his heart for the crowd, along with his talented group, at times coming off stage and singing while mingling amongst the appreciative crowd on the dance floor, drawing applause and ovations.
Bob's dazzling solos on vibraphone dropped a lot of mouths open, as this instrument is not common among today's performing artists...but sure makes the moment when it's masterfully played...and their ain't no better current master than Bob DeSena!
If that wasn't impressive enough, Bob stuck around afterwards to dance and mingle with the crowd, and later came back on stage to join the next group for a song.
All the way from San Jose, joined by a "couple of friends from East L.A.," the fabulous KOOL KATZ, featuring dynamic lead singer KELLY "the Kat" GALVAN, came on stage joined by TIERRA members percussionist DALE VILLAVICENCIO and the brass section of JEFF LEWIS, VICTOR CISNEROS and RUDY VILLA, last minute additions that pleased a most grateful and entertained crowd.
You could see the sweat dripping down foreheads as all the band members put forth a dazzling display of talent and respect for the honored Veterans in the house, drawing loud applause and standing ovations after their knockout performance....and of course, the customary call for an ¡Otra! (encore)
The moment and music was simply off the chain, as a packed, standing room only house, and full dance floor for almost five hours, was testament to the celebration of love and life in a free Country,, celebrated by a grateful community and the men and women of the hour responsible for that freedom....
...our honorable U.S. Military veterans.
Thanks again, you guys! You will never be forgotten!
About Frankie Firme, Contributing Editor:
Frankie Firme is the Al Capone of the microphone and the Hitman of West Coast Chicano Soul heard daily on Internet radio station www.eastLArevue.com, and is an honorably discharged U.S. Marine and U.S. Army Soldier.
Author's website
Email the author
http://www.latinola.com/story.php?story=10117#.TsLUvtLnxKk.facebook
