BURBANK : Celebration to Honor War Heroes Saturday

Bill Auppelee, a machinist first mate who spent three years aboard a Navy destroyer during World War II, will be the featured guest when Burbank salutes its war heroes during Veterans Day ceremonies Saturday.

Auppelee, who served on the U.S. destroyer Ralph Talbot from 1939 to 1945, will speak about his combat experiences. While he was a member of the ship’s crew, which entered war duty in 1942, the Talbot shot down 20 Japanese planes, including kamikaze aircraft, damaged five others and covered more than 20 amphibious landings. The Talbot earned more than 14 operational and engagement stars, second only to the U.S. aircraft carrier Enterprise.

The event will include a display of World War II memorabilia and pictures, including Navy and women’s uniforms. There also will be a flyover by a military air squadron during the ceremony, organizers said.

The “ceremony of the rose,” in which the names of all Burbank veterans who died in World War II, Korea and Vietnam are read by the members of the city’s World War II Commemorative Committee, also will be held.

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at McCambridge Park War Memorial, at the corner of San Fernando Boulevard and Amherst Drive.

There also will be a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave.