Crescenta Valley remembers lives lost
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More than 100 people paid tribute to fallen soldiers at Two Strike Park Monday morning where a Vietnam veteran told those in attendance that the purpose of Memorial Day was to honor the 1.3 million people who have died in combat — a more sobering holiday than others dedicated to celebrating America’s veterans and independence.
“We don’t celebrate today,” said Lynn Ginnis. “Instead, we gather here this morning to pause, to remember and to reflect on the men and women who gave their lives defending our way of life. They gave those lives on countless battlefields around the world.”
PHOTOS: Memorial Day Service at Two Strike Park
The park’s memorial wall honors 42 people who had ties to La Crescenta, and who lost their lives while serving the country. The names span from those who served in World War II to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Managed by members of American Legion Post 288 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614, the names listed were either Crescenta Valley residents or students of the area at the time the person entered the service.
Their death must have been related to combat wounds they received while in a war zone or tied to injuries they endured while held by the enemy.
Each year, the annual Memorial Day singles out a particular name. This year, that honor went to Stephen Arthur Golsh, who served in the Army from 1946 to 1970.
He was killed in Vietnam during a night ambush.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), who spoke during the event, recalled how Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) recently told him, “You forgive your enemies, but you never forget.”
“I think that ‘never forget’ is a good lesson for us all on Memorial Day, to remember their sacrifice, to remember those they left behind because this weekend is most difficult for those who are left behind,” he said.