La Cañada residents show spirit, traditions at annual Fiesta Days
A colllection of about 40 classic vehicles on display at Fiesta Days at Memorial Park in La Cañada Flintridge on Saturday, May 28, 2016. The three-day event includes a breakfast and a classic car show, sponsored by the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce and Community Assn.
Just as the Memorial Day weekend cast both sunny and somber skies upon revelers partaking in this year’s Fiesta Days celebration, so too did the event’s activities highlight all the La Cañada community has gained, and lost, in the lifetimes of its residents.
The celebration kicked off Friday evening at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge’s Casino Night fundraiser and continued through the next three days with a packed schedule of communal meals, shows and fireworks organized by the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Assn.
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But two annual traditions, both held Memorial Day morning, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the occasion behind the weekend’s festivities.
Those wishing to recognize members of the military who lost their lives in service to their country convened at La Cañada’s Memorial Park at 9 a.m. Monday for an annual Memorial Day service run largely by local youth.
Under the direction of Vietnam veteran and Valley Sun columnist Joe Puglia, Scouts from several local troops commemorated lives lost through a full flag presentation and the reading of letters, poems and the names of fallen servicemen and women with ties to La Cañada Flintridge.
Mistress of ceremonies Simone Puglia, a recent La Cañada High graduate and Joe Puglia’s daughter, clarified the ceremony’s intent in her welcoming remarks.
“It is our responsibility to carry out the traditions of Memorial Day and honor the sacrifices made on our behalf,” she said.
Girl Scouts performing as the “Commemoration Singers” provided elegant renderings of patriotic tunes, including “Danny Boy” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
The service paid tribute to Sgt. Joseph Stifter, a member of the U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, who was killed Jan. 30 in Iraq’s Anbar province. The Glendale native and St. Francis High School graduate’s name was added to a bronze plaque in Memorial Park memorializing locals killed in the line of duty.
Some members of Stifter’s family attended the service, including uncle Ted Walters, a Glendale resident and St. Francis alum.
“This is a wonderful tribute to my nephew — thank you,” said Walters, who served as a petty officer second class in the Navy from 1966 to 1969. “Once you’ve been in the service, you’re always a veteran, no doubt about it. I appreciate being here.”
At the conclusion of the event, a helicopter flyover by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department coincided with the playing of “Taps” on the bugle, and participants shifted their attention to Foothill Boulevard, where the 43rd annual Fiesta Days parade was gearing up for its 10:30 a.m. start.
Pat Anderson, president and chief executive of the La Cañada Flintridge chamber, said this year’s events went off without a hitch and were a perfect reminder of what Memorial Day is all about.
“This is a terrific weekend, and it’s wonderful to see so many people having such a good time,” Anderson said. “It’s also a very special time to pay incredible honor to everyone in uniform who makes sure our country is safe and protects our freedom.”
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Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com
Twitter: @SaraCardine
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