Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, November 14, 2020

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Mountain View News Saturday, November 14, 2020 


SIERRA MADRE KIWANIS HONORS 
VETERANS WITH A WALK THROUGH 
HISTORY IN MEMORIAL PARK

 On Veterans Day, the Kiwanis Club created a walking through historical tour 
of Sierra Madre Veterans in Memorial Park. The socially distanced exhibit allowed 
visitors to learn about the accomplishment of several local veterans, past 
and present, including WWI Veteran Ludivicous Van Iersel for whom the SM 
Post Office is named for; WWII Veteran Gordon Caldwell who was aboard the 
USS Saratoga that was torpedoed a few weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. 
Sierra Madre Resident and USAF Gunner Ken Anhalt's exhibit told the story 
of his meeting a Tuskegee Airmen, whose pilots protected the Anhalt's plane 
during WWII. The story of Marine Esther Garcia, a Korean War Vet was also 
on display.

 Visitors also were able to walk through the Veteran's Memorial at the park and 
one of the most touching moments was when a little girl spotted Korean War 
Veteran Joe Pergola, a Kiwanis Member and said, "Look Mommy, that's the man 
on the picture on the wall". 

 Below, two of Joann Harabedian's grandchildren pose for the camera. 

To see the entire exhibit, go to: www.sierramadrekiwanisclub.com.

Pictures are by Mary Lou Caldwell. 


SIERRA MADRE ROTARY CLUB 

ALSO CELEBRATES VETERAN’S DAY

Sierra Madre Rotary Club celebrated our nation’s veterans at their meeting 
on November 10. In past years, the Rotary Club celebrated Veteran's 
Day with a breakfast for the veterans and program for the students at the 
Sierra Madre Middle School. The veterans were invited to share their 
story and history with the middle school students. This year the meeting 
was held in a virtual format with 100 people in attendance including 
students and staff from Sierra Madre Middle School. 

Jimmy Weldon, a WWII Veteran, opened the meeting with a tear-rendering 
tribute to the American Flag, after which he led the group in the 
flag salute and in song with God Bless America. Rotary Club President-
Elect, Marc Garlett, himself a veteran, gave the inspiration in which he 
spoke of honoring those veterans who sacrificed for the freedom of all 
Americans and reminded the meeting attendees to join together everyday 
of the year to honor all men and women of the armed forces 
and to never forget the injured veterans to whom we owe gratitude and 
protection. 

Also speaking was Dave Loera, a Vietnam War veteran and past Post 
Commander of Sierra Madre VFW Post 3208. Citing Veteran’s Day 
as a day of “major significance”, Dave said that all veterans share common 
values, a special bond forged by common experiences and a deeper 
appreciation for the freedom they served to protect. Ken Wagoner, a 
WWII veteran also shared his military experience with the group.

Rotary encouraged all adults attending the virtual meeting to include 
their children. Jimmy Weldon spoke directly to the young people in 
attendance reminding them of how unique and important each of them 
are and encouraged them to “spend your time wisely, because you can’t 
save it”. Jimmy takes the importance of our nation’s history to youth 
through the Center For Youth Patriotism (http://centerforyouthpatriotism.
com). 

The Sierra Madre Rotary Club invites the community to join their weekly 
virtual meetings. Watch for our advertisements each week announcing 
the topic and live-stream link, or contact President Karen Swisher at 
sierra.swish@gmail.com.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com