Next week, the Montrose/Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Montrose Shopping Park, will be hosting a Memorial Day ceremony at our town Vietnam War memorial. Held from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. the Memorial Day event will be emceed by our very own treasurer Charles Beatty. While many people think of Memorial Day as a time to kick back, relax, crack open a beer, and maybe grill a hot dog or two, we often forget at what a high price this freedom to do and say as we please has cost.
Since the struggle that formed our union out of a band of colonies over 200 years ago, millions of men and women have sacrificed their lives to ensure our safety, prosperity and the ability to exercise the basic freedoms that are our birthright. Whether we are inspired to voice dissent to those in power, attend a house of worship of our choosing, convene with politically like-minded colleagues, etc., we have the multitudes of veterans and their fallen comrades to thank for all of these things. Their unyielding determination and will to bear the standard of our nation and protect it against those who would seek our destruction serves as a crucial part of the backbone of our republic.
But the success of this country not only lies with the inherent rightness of its principles. The Untied States of America would long ago have faded into history had not generation after generation of people stepped in willing to defend to the death this country. Not only have they defended the security of the nation when it was imperiled, they have valiantly defended the lives of its allies. What would have become of Europe had the United States failed to send its Navy to protect Allied shores in the First World War; had the invasion of Normandy in the Second World War never happened? Even today, men and women serve and answer the call to duty to protect our nation and our allies. For all the good they have wrought, our veterans of all wars – past and present – deserve our eternal thanks. We are proud that the MVCC, helmed by the tireless work of Frank Roberts, established the first Vietnam War memorial in California nearly 40 years ago. We thank all the veterans who have helped preserve the values of our nation and allow us to continue working, living and thriving in Montrose.
Be it great food, fun events, or unique shopping trips, make Montrose your destination. Follow the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce via our Facebook or our website at www.montrosechamber.org. Or read about our community in detail at our new blog: www.destinationmontrose.blogspot.com. Our offices are open Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call us at (818) 249-7171 or email me at tayala@montrosechamber.org. For all your shopping needs and more make your destination Montrose!

Ted Ayala is the executive director of the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce.

  crescenta valley, La Crescenta, montrose, Montrose Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce, MVCOC