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PHOTOS: Sons of the American Revolution Commemorate George Washington's Birthday

The 30th annual celebration at Forest Lawn Memorial Park also salutes the armed forces.

A crowd of nearly 125 people - mostly clad in colonial garb - gathered Sunday at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills to honor George Washington's birthday.

The 30th annual “Massing of the Colors,” sponsored by the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, saw over 60 color guards, along with ROTC and Junior ROTC units from 25 different schools.

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.

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

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

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“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.”

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