By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

For many, Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is the unofficial kickoff to the summer season. But while there may be decisions about what to throw on the barbecue, the more important decision is where to go to observe this somber holiday.

Simply put, Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

According to memorialday.com, “Following the Civil War, the number of American lives lost was astonishing. There were actually more casualties from the Civil War than in any other American war before or since. As early as the 1860s, many communities across the country were holding smaller-scale days of remembrance for their fallen comrades. These days of honoring and remembrance were not unified across the country, however. Although many different towns across the United States observed these early ancestors of modern Memorial Day, there was one town that hosted a particularly noteworthy celebration.

“Waterloo, New York was given the honor of officially being the town that begat this holiday of remembrance. Each year, the town of Waterloo was essentially shut down while its citizens spent the day visiting gravesites of fallen soldiers and placing flowers and flags on the memorials. This town was credited with first organizing this holiday on May 5, 1866. The traditions that began in Waterloo were the predecessors to the modern holiday that Americans enjoy.”

Memorial Day wasn’t made an official federal holiday until 1971. For decades, Memorial Day was observed on May 30 but in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. The change went into effect in 1971.

The importance of the holiday has not been lost locally. On Monday morning, May 30, there are several opportunities to show respect for those who gave their lives in service to their country.

At Forest Lawn Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. in Glendale, the Glendale Sunrise Rotary is hosting the annual Field of Honor and Gratitude. On display will be 1,000 flags flying atop eight-foot poles, arranged in rows at the entrance of Forest Lawn. The flags will fly from May 23 to May 30. According to the Glendale Sunrise Rotary, the display honors veterans, current military personnel, first responders and community leaders. Sponsorship of one or more flags is available. Proceeds from the event will be directed back into the community.

“We hope it will be a beautiful reminder to some, and a great appreciation to all who attend, of what an amazing country we call home,” stated Glendale Rotary president Mike Shaar.

The formal ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and will include music, presentation of colors by the Glendale Police Dept. color guard, the pledge of allegiance led by GPD Chief Carl Povilaitis, an inspiration, the national anthem by Lilit Avetisyan and an introduction of sponsors and elected officials. There is no charge to attend.

This year, the City of Glendale has partnered with the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce and Montrose Shopping Park Assn. for its Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The ceremony will be held on Monday, May 30 at 7:30 a.m. at the Vietnam War Memorial in Montrose, on the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue. This event will be a formal ceremony led by the Montrose Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce and will include welcoming remarks, recognition of dignitaries, a speech from Mayor Ardy Kassakhian, family member remembrance, the reading of the names on the Memorial Wall, and a moment of silence.

The City of Glendale is also holding a brief wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial Wall in front of Glendale City Hall at 9:30 a.m. The wreath-laying will include the mayor and city councilmembers laying a wreath at the Veteran’s War Memorial followed by a moment of silence.

At 8 a.m. at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave. in La Crescenta, there will be a Memorial Day commemoration hosted by the American Legion Post No. 288 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 1614. The keynote speaker will be Col. Larry F. Icenogle, U.S. Army (Retired). Col. Icenogle served his country in various capacities from 1971 to 2012. He is also a bugler with “Bugles Across America” and will play “Taps.”

This year a local veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald A. Rimpau, U.S. Army Air Corps, will be honored at the ceremony. Lt. Col. Rimpau, who died on Jan. 5, 2022, served his country during World War II and Korea. As a first lieutenant during WW II he flew over 50 combat missions, four missions on “D-Day” and was shot down three times and survived. For his service and personal contributions during WW II he received numerous citations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and the Silver Star.

There will be a reading of the names of the fallen veterans from the Memorial Wall and a POW/MIA empty table ceremony will be presented.

The American Legion flag detail will perform a flag folding ceremony. The flag will be presented to the family of Lt. Col. Gerald A. Rimpau.

The Crescenta Valley High School U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC will perform the presentation of colors. The Verdugo Hills Woman’s Chorus will perform the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Amazing Grace.” Cub Scout Pack No. 360 will conduct the presentation of flowers, which is sponsored by the American Legion Post No. 288.

All members of the Crescenta Valley community are invited to attend;

seating will be provided. It is free to attend.