Community Corner
Hundreds Gather for Veterans Day Ceremony at Forest Lawn
City officials, veterans, and their families mark the holiday.
The 52nd annual Veterans Day ceremony at had special significance this year.
“This is extremely special,” said Vietnam Veteran Eike Hohenadl. “Eleven o’clock on 11/11/11. That won’t happen again for another 100 years.”
Hohenadl, 70, was one of four veterans who are part of the Golden Stars Skydiving Team and helped kick off the ceremony by skydiving into the event. Hohenadl briefly addressed the crowd during the ceremony, following addresses by other speakers including Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilman Tom LaBonge, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
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"You've made the most sacred promise an American citizen can make," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told the crowd. "Our debt to you cannot be measured. Our gratitude to you must be boundless."
Members of the Notre Dame Irish Knight Marching Band helped pay tribute and entertain the crowd which included members of all four branches of the military as well as Tuskegee Airmen, Buffalo Soldiers, Jewish War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, and Disabled American Veterans.
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The ceremony ended with a rifle salute and a rendition of TAPS by the Blue Eagles Total Force Honor Guard.
How do you plan to celebrate Veterans Day? Tell us in the comments.
