Memorial Day 2009 - Burbank, California
Dedication of Larry L. Maxam Memorial Park
On Monday May 25, 2009, we attended a Memorial Day Ceremony
at McCambridge Park, in Burbank, California. The City of Burbank and
its Veterans Commemorative Committee jointly sponsored the event, which
attracted over five hundred people. This year, the theme of the event
was, “A time of song, word, remembrance and celebration”.
After a stirring prelude by the Burbank Community Band, the Condor Squadron,
based in Van Nuys, California, conducted a flyover, with a squadron of
their fully restored North American AT-6/SNJ World War II vintage
aircraft. A frequent sight over such events in Southern California, the
Condor Squadron’s flyover saluted the men and women of our armed
forces, and honored the sacrifices they have made. With their powerful
radial engines thrumming a heartfelt beat, the flyover added excitement
and drama to the day’s events.
Ms. Pat Walmisley then led the crowd
in a rendition of “God Bless America” that would have made Kate Smith
proud. Next was the Presentation of Colors, by the Second Battalion 23rd
Marines, a reserve infantry battalion under the command of the 23rd
Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division. After the National Anthem,
Flag Salute and Invocation, the ceremony paid tribute to every
Burbank-related service person that lost their life during World War
II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War and the War in
Afghanistan. While the crowd listened to the reading of names of those
lost in war, we watched the Ceremony of the Rose.
During the ceremony, a group of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts placed a
single rose for each of the deceased on a monument in that special
corner of the park.
Following the remarks of the city’s
mayor, state and congressional legislators, Mr. Mickey DePalo, the head
of the Burbank Veterans Commemorative Committee stepped forward to
re-name Pacific Park in honor and memory of United States Marine
Corporal Larry L. Maxam,
a posthumous recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Corporal
Maxam died February 2, 1968, at Cam Lo District, Quang Tri Province,
Vietnam.
It pleased us when Mr. DePalo read some of the words
that we and other classmates had composed in memory of our classmate
and friend, Larry Maxam. However, the moment of greatest drama came
when Staff Sergeant Rosal, of the Second Battalion 23rd Marines stepped forward to read Corporal Maxam’s Medal of Honor citation, attributed to then President Richard M. Nixon.
As we listened in
rapt attention, Larry Maxam’s spiritual brother-in-arms read the full
text of the citation. Sergeant Rosal’s voice did not falter as he
described how Corporal Maxam singlehandedly protected his unit from
enemy fire. Attendees who did not already know the full story, learned
that Corporal Maxam succumbed to his wounds on the battlefield. As he
departed the podium, Sergeant Rosal’s military bearing was in keeping
with the respect and honor he bestowed upon his fellow Marine. Only his
eyes betrayed his emotions.In fitting honor of
his service to the United States of America, the City of Burbank then
rededicated old Pacific Park as the new Larry L. Maxam Memorial Park.
In Larry's honor, the City of Burbank included $25,000 in its 2009-2010
capital budget for installation of appropriate memorial signage and
landscaping.
We hope that Larry
Maxam, the man and the soldier will live on in the memories of all who
cherish freedom and love these United States. If good planning and good
fortune prevail, we hope to attend festivities associated with the
park’s official opening on Veteran’s Day, 2009.
After recent publicity about the
Larry Maxam story, two more of Larry's classmates at Burbank High School
have stepped forward. Here are their thoughts about Larry Maxam.
Classmate Deanne Adams said, "I knew
Larry Maxam very well. In fact, he took it upon himself to be sure I
was safe. He went to the same church as I did and whenever we had a
dance, he was close by to be sure the young men treated me kindly. He
was always kind to me and made me feel very special. I felt badly that I
was not more attentive to him, as a friend. He was just a good
person. When I read about his heroic deeds during the Vietnam War, I
was so proud of him. He had a big heart and cared deeply about other
people."
Classmate Eddie Morton added an air
of mystery to the events surrounding Larry’s death, when he said, "I
knew Larry had been killed in action because I had read about it in the
Burbank Review back in '68. It happened around Tet of '68. About ten
years ago, I was in Washington, D.C. and read in something at the
Library of Congress that he (Larry Maxam) died at "Monkey Mountain", a little west of Da Nang. I spent time in both places. I'm glad he's getting the recognition he deserves."
Recently, we asked a former
classmate, “Is it a cliché to say that they just don't make heroes like
Larry Maxam anymore? Rather than encouraging our children to adulate
the next comic book sensation, would we not be better served by honoring
real people, both living and dead, who served our country and
sacrificed on our behalf?”
- Updated Comment - July 1, 2009 - By Eddie Morton, BHS Class of '66
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I recently returned to the Viet Nam Memorial and rechecked the info on Larry Maxam. It said that he died at Cam Lo, which is west of Dong Ha and near the DMZ. I went back to the Library of Congress to try and locate whatever it was I read back in ’99, but could not find it. Whatever it was I read back then, it was wrong or I am remembering it wrong.
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By James McGillis at 01:35 PM | Personal Articles | Comments (1) | Link
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