Foot Notes

The American tradition of Memorial Day dates back more than 130 years. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday initially honored the more than 600,000 Americans who lost their lives in the Civil War. In 1868, May 30 was proclaimed the official holiday in the Northern states, while Southern states honored their fallen heroes April 26. The name Memorial Day was adopted in 1882. Over time, the concept of Memorial Day expanded to include all those who died in service to the United States, from the Revolution to the present. In 1971, the holiday was changed to the last Monday in May.

In conjunction with Memorial Day this year, the Jackson & Perkins rose company has developed a new rose, “Veterans Honor,” to recognize America’s veterans and war dead. Jackson & Perkins has donated bushes of this new hybrid for planting at veterans hospitals and other facilities. Ten percent of sales proceeds from the new rose will go to the VA’s medical research programs.

The 11th annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of Sherman Way and Owensmouth Avenue. This year’s honorary grand marshal is Staff Sgt. Andrew A. Ramirez, the recently released Kosovo POW. Celebrity grand marshals include actresses Virginia Mayo, Patty McCormick and Kristina Wayborn, and the animated character Tweety Bird. Also on hand will be U.S. Reps. Brad Sherman and Buck McKeon, state Sen. Richard Alarcon, Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

Burbank will honor veterans of World War I in a special Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at McCambridge Park War Memorial at the corner of Amherst Drive and San Fernando Boulevard. U.S. Rep. James Rogan, state Sen. Adam Schiff and other dignitaries will speak.