It is Memorial Day. That means the American flag flies at half mast this morning at Victory Park. Today we honor members of the United States military who died in service to this country.
As I’ve posted before, the flag is tied to the Gold Star Mothers Flagpole. At the base of the pole is a plaque inscribed “In remembrance of those who made the supreme sacrifice during World War II.” This morning a bright bouquet of yellow and white flowers rests under the plaque.
In front of the Gold Star Mothers’ Flagpole and at the corner of Altadena and Paloma is the “V” Victory. Planted with 19 red roses, the V calls to mind a time when “V for Victory” was a rallying cry not just for Americans, but also for Allies overseas.
Victory Park, of course, is a legacy of the Greatest Generation. So called by Tom Brokaw in his book, The Greatest Generation endured the Great Depression and through self-sacrifice and a resolute national spirit won World War II. Thei legacy they left says a lot about the values they lived by. Whereas Pasadena commemorated the end of World War I with a monumental flagpole at Orange Grove and Colorado, at the close of World War II, Pasadena’s Greatest Generation left a living memorial — a park for future generations.
Sometimes a living memorial is so alive that the memory of its founding is all but lost. I think that’s the case with Victory Park. And, I think that would probably be OK with the Greatest Generation that built the park.
But, it is not OK for us. We must remember the horrors of war, honor those who have served this country and especially honor the memories of those who made the supreme sacrifice. We owe it to them remember.
Here is the very well used living memorial, Victory Park, photographed at 7 am this morning with the San Gabriel mountains looming to the north. Park’s gonna be busy today.
Below, as a bonus, is a skydiver towing an American flag rom this morning’s excellent Memorial Day event at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
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