PHOTOS AND TEXT BY LISA EKBERG HOPGOOD
Under gray skies, the 6th annual San Fernando Valley Veteran’s Day parade was held November 11, 2009 traveling down the length of Laurel Canyon Blvd. from San Fernando Mission Blvd. to Paxton St. in Pacoima. The parade was an occasion to honor service members currently serving in the military, as well as a wide range of veterans who had served in the past. Veterans were on hand who had served in WWII and the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. High school marching bands from Reseda, San Fernando, and Notre Dame joined with local high school cadet corps and CSUN and UCLA ROTC. All three branches of the military were represented. A group of Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families (families who have lost a loved one in war) were prominently and movingly given tribute as they rode by in vehicles.
Army
Left: Vietnam veteran; Right: Purple Heart recipients
Left: Notre Dame HS band members; Right: UCLA ROTC
Left: The Barragan/Daniels family and friends car was filled with veterans who served in three wars. Right: Reseda High School
Notre Dame High School marching band.
Left: Young Army troopers; Right: Navy
Left: Air Force; Right: Vietnam Veterans
Left: Marines; Right: Harley Vets
Left: Jewish war veterans; Right: World War II veterans
Lisa Ekberg Hopgood is a 17+ year resident of Studio City. She lives with her husband John and two sons Justin and Aidan.
About Karen Young
