It was a day to remember the past and celebrate the future during the annual “Massing of the Colors” sponsored by the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

ROTC and Junior ROTC units, including a unit from Hollywood High School, showed up yesterday to help mark the occasion which was billed as a celebration of George Washington’s Birthday.

Washington’s birthday is a federal holiday and is observed every year on Presidents Day which also honors Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

Speakers ranging from Councilwoman Jan Perry and state Assembly candidate Betsy Butler were on hand. Keynote speaker Brad Burlingame, brother of the American Airlines Flight 77 pilot whose plane crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11, had a special message of encouragement for the students.

“You are the backbone of our country, and you reflect the best hope for the future of America,” Burlingame said.

North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch Editor Craig Clough interviewed Burlingame for Beverly Hills Patch in 2010. See here:

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ROTC instructors were grateful the students had the opportunity to learn about Washington’s legacy.

“I think it’s great for the ROTC program,” said Billie Smith, an aerospace instructor at Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley. “A lot of the kids don’t know why they’re off tomorrow. It gives them a greater appreciation.”

Some in the crowd of more than 125 people even donned colonial attire in the spirit of the occasion. This year marked the 30^th annual celebration.