Members of VFW Post 3208 with members of the 4th of July Committee just after Grand Marshal announcement was made. Click to enlarge.
Press Release posted 5/20/13 – The volunteers of the Sierra Madre 4th of July Committee are pleased and excited to announce that the 2013 Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshal will be Sierra Madre’s Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3208.
According to the nomination requirements, “The Grand Marshal is a person or persons whose efforts over a long period of time has been beneficial to the community of Sierra Madre. The title of Grand Marshal is intended to honor a person or persons’ volume of work,dedication and overall enhancements to our community.”
No one embodies this more than the members of the VFW.
Sierra Madre’s VFW Post No. 3208 was granted its status on February 13, 1935 – officially the “Harry L Embree Post No. 3208, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, an organization existing under authority of an Act of Congress, approved May 28, 1936. From the VFW website regarding the National organization: “The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans’ pension for them,and they were left to care for themselves. In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.”
The membership of the Sierra Madre Post consists of veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. These are true American Heroes living in our community and what better way to acknowledge them, their service and their families than saying thank you during this year’s 4th of July Celebration.
The community service endeavors of the Veterans of Foreign Wars go well beyond the realm of “veterans helping veterans.” Sierra Madre’s VFW has provided a Scholarship to the Veterans of Pasadena City College; supported the Pasadena High School ROTC program, supported local Boy & Girls Scouts; sponsorships for Sierra Madre Little League teams and adult co-ed Softball. The Veterans have donated flags to the City that are used to line the City streets, donated $10,000 to for bleachers at Heasley Field, donated $5,000 to Pony League for field repairs and just recently purchased a pole and flag for Dapper Field.
If you want to learn more about the VFW, the Post meets at the Hart Park House on the second Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m., or look for a Veteran during the 4th of July Parade as they hand out flags to kids along the route.
For more information on all of the 4th of July Festivities, please visit www.sierramadre4thofjuly.com