Looking Back on Independence Day
On July 4, 1847, the Mormon Battalion (a regular military unit with the U.S. Army) raised the first American flag at Fort Moore near the present-day site of downtown Los Angeles. This was after the volunteer unit completed the longest infantry march in history (2,000 miles) from the Midwest to California.
On July 4, 1987--140 years later--members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) held a large memorial service at the Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial. Although the Southern California Mormon Choir was to perform, we were not able to secure a regular military band. As a member of the team that searched for a military band, I (along with other Mormons) wish to thank the local Salvation Army for providing a Korean band and doing this as an unselfish and public-spirited offer.
KENNETH LLOYD LARSON
Los Angeles
More to Read
More to Read
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
