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Memorial Day Reflections: Remembering The Korean War

Memorial Day Ceremony

Following our outstanding Memorial Day Ceremony, I joined several of my veteran friends at the Elks Lodge for lunch and a few beers.  While there, I met up with our master of ceremony, Councilman Bob Kellar, who also serves on our 11-member Memorial committee. Bob and I were basking in the afterglow of our exceptional event – Bob has been associated with our committee and Santa Clarita’s Memorial Day Ceremony since 1992, four years after its inception in 1988.  When Bob said that this year’s ceremony, of which our theme was “Remembering the Korean War,” was perhaps the best we’ve ever had, well that just made my day.

WATCH LIVE: Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary in Newhall is holding Santa Clarita’s Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, where hundreds are in attendance to recognize those who have served in the military.

Posted by KHTS Radio on Monday, May 27, 2019

 

Program Highlights

Reflecting on our ceremony, I determined several portions of our program must have prompted Bob to draw that prescient conclusion.  This year West Ranch High School and local rising country star Savannah Burrows belted out our National Anthem beautifully, and keeping on our theme, Savannah also gracefully performed “Korea, Here We Come.”  Attendees easily felt her deep emotion, rendering her delivery even more heartfelt. Savannah was wonderfully accompanied by acoustic guitarist Ryan Foglesong and violinist Andrea Hammand. Decorated Navy combat fighter pilot Michael Garcia delivered a stirring patriotic speech that received the first standing ovation for keynote speakers that we’ve ever had during this annual ceremony.  And keep in mind, this Memorial committee has facilitated this ceremony in partnership with Eternal Valley since 1988. As a first, we recruited ROTC Hart High School student Nathan Miranda, who played Reveille superbly in support of Savannah’s “Korea, Here We Come” and concluded our ceremony playing Taps impeccably. Fellow ROTC Hart student and drummer Collin Brooks accompanied Nathan.  Holding to our theme, Santa Clarita United Methodist Church Pastor Elaine Cho, of South Korean heritage, delivered admirably our invocation and benediction. Participating as another first this year were two bagpipers, College of the Canyon Instructor James Gilmore and Chelsea Joy, who melded their talents skillfully together. Korean War combat veteran John Coleman kicked off our ceremony by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.  Many thanks go to Sabina Fetter, Blue Star Mother president, and her Blue Star mothers for their kind assistance.

Traditional Support Cast

We can always count on exceptional support from Santa Clarita’s Concert Band under Tim Durand’s direction, Vietnam Veterans of America, SCV’s Young Marines with retired Marine Gunny Raymond Torres and his young son Joshua dressed in full Marine Corps uniforms, and the Ronald Reagan Marine Corps League of Simi Valley.  I also must give special recognition to Eternal Valley Managers Richard Nunally and Patti Palominos, along with their employee, Navy veteran Steve Quach. Last but not least, our committee gives huge kudos to Trinity Classical Academy students Andrew Dever, Rae-Anne Ferraz and Ella Bowie, as well as Academy of the Canyons students Labiba Syeed and Breanna Bareng, for their reading of approximately 1,200 deceased veteran names engraved on our Memorial Wall.  Memorial Committee members include Dennis Witzel, vice president; Bob Slocum, treasurer; Jerry Rhodes, secretary; and Board Members Bob Kellar, Pam Hogan, Fred Gruchalla, Patti Palominos, David Jackson, Janine Schulenburg and Marie Williams-Pounds.

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Memorial Day Reflections: Remembering The Korean War

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About Bill Reynolds - KHTS Director of Veteran Affairs

I’ve lived in Santa Clarita since 1980 with my wife, with whom I have two wonderful children and five beautiful grandchildren.I’m the first son of a World War II veteran and an Australian WWII War Bride. Instead of being born in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Sydney, Australia, I was born in Mineral Wells, Texas. After moving around various small west Texas towns and having lived near Sydney, Australia, my family finally settled in the San Fernando Valley in 1955. I graduated from Cleveland High School, attended Pierce College and worked at General Motors in Van Nuys. In the spring of 1966, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam. I recently starred in National Geographic’s Emmy nominated documentary, “Brothers in War” now seen on Netflix. Read about "Hometown Heroes - Our Veterans" series, click here...