Jenna Bordelon
BURBANK -- The number of veterans' organization members may be
dwindling, but the Veteran's Memorial Squad of Burbank is going strong.
Seven members of the squad will be on hand Saturday to fire a 21-gun
salute in honor of Veterans Day at three different locations in the city.
Squad Capt. Lou DeSantis, 71, hopes there will be a renewed interest
by younger veterans in his chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.
"The ones that are running this place are getting old and worn out,"
he laughed. "It takes awhile for [young people] to settle down, but
they'll be in before too much longer when they realize what the veterans'
organizations can do for them."
W.R. "Web" Raduenz, 79, is one of only two squad members left from
World War II. The recipient of three Purple Hearts for being wounded in
battle, Raduenz said the men of World War II were a tough bunch.
"We used to say 'If the bone isn't sticking out and the blood isn't
running out of the top of your boots, well, get back to duty!"' he said.
The men will be wearing their D.A.V. uniforms and carrying World War I
rifles when they honor ex-soldiers and their loved ones.
Raduenz said contrary to what some may believe, the guns are loaded
with blanks.
"We always tell the speaker that each man carries one live round, so
keep it short," he laughed.
VETERANS DAY SALUTE
The squad will be at three locations Saturday. Everyone is welcome to
attend any or all of the events.
* Noon at the American Legion Post 150, 940 W. Olive Ave.
* 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ship 8310, 1006 W. Magnolia Blvd.
* 2 p.m. at the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 40, 1115 W.
Magnolia Blvd.
