May 29, 2017 - Memorial Day Event, Rainbow Division Memorial Grove

Exposition Park, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

On Memorial Day, 2017, a small service took place at the "Rainbow Memorial Grove" in Exposition Park. The ceremony, put on by the 578th Brigade Engineer Battalion, dates back to two engineer companies that were part of the historic division and led by Lt. Col. Gilbert Roldan.

After repair and clean up of years of deposits and graffiti, the monument to the men of the 42nd Rainbow Division was rededicated during a ceremony that included speakers from the American Legion, and presentation by a prestigious color-guard and honor-guard.

Originally dedicated on May 30, 1935, is was suitable that this re-dedication occur on Memorial Day eighty-two years later.

1st Sgt. Arthur C. Davis's and his fellow vets erected the monument and accompanying trees in 1935. Arthur's son Jim Davis, who as a young boy was in attendance for the original dedication, was also on hand for the 2017 Memorial Day 2017 re-dedication. In addition, Mr. David Cohen, of the 122nd Medical Battalion, 42nd Rainbow Division WWII also made it.

Other WWI descendants present in 1935 and this Memorial Day were Annette Davis DeYoung, Janice Littell Curry, and Josephine Lord Mosier. Representing the California Department of Veterans Affairs was Secretary, Dr. Vito Imbasciani, himself a California National Guard veteran.