Los Angeles marks Memorial Day

During the 26th annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade on Monday, retired Capt. Bill Rather, from left, and Lillian and Leonard Berwager honor Canoga Park High School graduates who died while serving in the armed forces.

David Cohen, 89, of Camarillo, Ca., served in World War II and was the only Rainbow Division veteran attending their Memorial Day ceremony. A small gathering of people sat near the monument dedicated to the U.S. Army’s Rainbow Division in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park while James Davis led the ceremony in place of his father, 1st Sgt. Arthur Davis, who helped get the monument built in 1935. For many years Arthur Davis was part of the annual ceremony until he died in 1987. His son James Davis, at 91, said it would probably be the final service for him there. “It is likely this will be the final service as time does march on and Rainbow Division veterans grow fewer day by day,� said Davis in his speech. The one Rainbow Division veteran that was present, David Cohen, served from 1943-1946 as a combat medic and had been awarded the Bronze Star. “World War II was a rough battle, it really was,� said Cohen. Cohen’s wife and two of his four daughters were among the audience members gathered at the Memorial on Monday. The Rainbow Division is actually the 42nd Infantry Division from the U.S. Army National Guard which was made up originally with personnel from 26 states.

James Davis, 91, looks over a memorial that was erected in 1935 with the help of his father, who served in the U.S. Army’s Rainbow Division in WWI. A small gathering of people sat near the monument in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park as Davis, who served in WWII, led the ceremony in place of his father 1st Sgt. Arthur Davis who helped get the monument built in 1935 and for many years was part of the annual ceremony until he died in 1987. His son James Davis, at 91, said it would probably be the final service for him there. “It is likely this will be the final service as time does march on and Rainbow Division veterans grow fewer day by day,� said Davis in his speech. There was only one Rainbow Division veteran present on Monday, David Cohen, 89, of Camarillo, Ca. Cohen, who served from 1943-1946, was a combat medic and had been awarded the Bronze Star. “World War II was a rough battle, it really was,� said Cohen. Cohen’s wife and two of his four daughters were among the audience members gathered at the Memorial on Monday. The Rainbow Division is actually the 42nd Infantry Division from the U.S. Army National Guard which was made up originally with personnel from 26 states.

Cindy Smith, 58, hugs her father, David Cohen, during a Memorial Day ceremony. A small gathering of people came to the monument dedicated to the U.S. Army’s Rainbow Division that sits in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park pon Monday. James Davis, who served in WWII, led the ceremony in place of his father 1st Sgt. Arthur Davis who helped get the monument built in 1935 and for many years was part of the annual ceremony until he died in 1987. His son James Davis, at 91, said it would probably be the final service for him there. “It is likely this will be the final service as time does march on and Rainbow Division veterans grow fewer day by day,� said Davis in his speech. There was only one Rainbow Division veteran present on Monday, David Cohen, 89, of Camarillo, Ca. Cohen, who served from 1943-1946, was a combat medic and had been awarded the Bronze Star. “World War II was a rough battle, it really was,� said Cohen. Cohen’s wife and two of his four daughters were among the audience members gathered at the Memorial on Monday. The Rainbow Division is actually the 42nd Infantry Division from the U.S. Army National Guard which was made up originally with personnel from 26 states.

Members of an honor guard can be seen at the 26th annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade on Monday.

World War II veteran Art Sherman serves as a lively grand marshal for the 26th annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade down Sherman Way on Monday.

Residents cheer as police officers ride down Sherman Way during the 26th annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade on Monday.

Wally Baum III, from left, Ginger Baum, Wally Baum Sr. and Ruben Acuna watch the 26th annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade on Monday.

Armand Kay, dressed as Elvis, waves to participants in the Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade on Monday.