At 11:00 each year on the 11th day of the 11th month, you can count on the Condor squad flying over McCambridge Park War Memorial in Burbank.
You can also count on the Burbank Veterans Committee headed up by Chairman Mickey DePalo, a longtime Burbank employee who is now only retired from his job, not his obligation to help Burbank Veterans as well as those currently serving.
Besides MC’ing the ceremony, DePalo also solicits donations from the community including a generous donation from the Cusumano family that allows the committee to pay the Condor Squad for each year’s flyover.
Most of the ceremony does not change from year to year.
There is the National Anthem sung by Gino Guadio and Pat Walmisley is a mainstay with her rendition of God Bless America.
This year Mayor Bob Frutos recogined Sergeant Joseph Nuñez, who has just completed his United Stated Marine Corps service and was presented his banner that had been flying in downtown Burbank by the Mayor. Nuñez is already started on his new life as the Burroughs graduate is on his way to becoming a Burbank Police Officer.
Wednesday’s Guest Speaker was retired U. S. Army Major General Mark MacCarley, who has been in involved in Burbank for many years. He spoke of the assimilation of Veterans back into society.
Burbank Congressman Adam Schiff was once again on hand to address the listeners as well as Assembleman Mike Gatto and State Senator Carol Liu. Also like in most other years, Congressman Brad Sherman was a no show.
Schiff, one of the leading Congressman, works hard every year to make it to the Burbank ceremony and with his time serving on the Intellegence Commission, always has an interesting story. Gatto shared about his father, who was tragically murdered two years ago in his home.
As always, Taps was played by the Burbank Community Band and brought some misty eyes to many in attendance.
Depalo keeps the ceremony close to the cuff every year. He knows it not about the ceremony, but the people they honor each year. No doubt they have already began on their preparations for the 2016 ceremony.
