Day of Flags and Parades Honor Dead

Amid waving flags and blaring horns, a cavalcade of horses, bands and fancy cars commemorated America’s war dead Monday with the 10th Annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade.

Overcast skies provided ideal cool weather for the event that drew thousands of spectators ranging from veterans who lost their innocence long ago on a battlefield to wide-eyed tots enjoying their first parade.

Fallen veterans were honored throughout the area in other ways as well, including memorial services in Burbank, North Hollywood, Westlake Village, Newhall, Palmdale and Lancaster.

A special Mass was celebrated at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, a patriotic musical tribute was performed at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park Hollywood Hills and an eclectic parade was held in Topanga.

For those who served in World War II or lived through it, Monday’s parade in Canoga Park rekindled their patriotism and brought back plenty of memories.

“We’re here to honor the people who have given their lives and those who were injured and took the brunt of it. It’s really a somber occasion,” said Elaine Hytner of Palmdale.

Hytner handed out small American flags to passersby before riding in the parade with the San Fernando Valley Power Squadron, a nonprofit group that teaches boating safety.

Decked out in his uniform covered with medals, Battle of the Bulge survivor Murray Shapiro, 74, said he marched in the parade because he wants people to remember the lengthy battle in which the Americans stopped the German advance in Belgium.

“It’s a great teaching opportunity,” said Shapiro of Chatsworth, a public school instructor for 42 years. “Plus, I love a parade.”

Another World War II vet riding in the parade was Army nurse Jean Sparkman, who vividly remembers watching the Enola Gay return to base after dropping the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

Fifty-three years later, Sparkman volunteered that she still supports the controversial decision to use the bomb on Japan.

“I could cry because I’m so proud [to be in the parade],” said Sparkman, 78, of Canoga Park, who was assigned to the 309th General Hospital.

Although it has a serious purpose, the parade was fun too.

Among the crowd pleasers were an array of antique fire engines, Shriners on go-carts, a replica space shuttle, a motorcycle-riding dog and Blanche Bettington, honored at 99 as “Canoga Park High School’s first teacher.”

Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series, received cheers as grand marshal.

“This is my community and I’ve watched it grow,” said Nichols, a 20-year Woodland Hills resident. “A lot of wonderful people live here. Anything to make it better and bring harmony is good.”