By Earl Heath
Its been an annual event for well over a century and the 2015 Tournament of Roses didn’t disappoint. The theme “Inspiring Stories was named in honor of one of America’s war hero’s of WWII Louis Zamperini. Seven years ago Rose Bowl 2015 President Richard Chenin read the book “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. The story of USC Graduate and Olympian in the 1936 games became an air bombardier.
Zamperini spent two years as a POW in Japan after his plane went down in the Pacific Ocean. He and a crew-mate survived for 47 days in shark infested waters before being captured by the Japanese. After a family discussion, the theme “Inspiring Stories” was born.
“We thought the story was so inspirational,” said Cheinn. “It was a family idea”.
Zamperini passed away last July two months after being named Grand Marshal. He was represented by his family during the parade. “The Love Boat” cast reunited to celebrate Princess Cruises 50th anniversary by appearing on a float at the Rose Bowl Parade. The Love Boat cast, including Gavin MacLeod (Captain Stubing), Fred Grandy (Chief Purser Gopher), Ted Lange (Bartender Isaac), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Lauren Tewes (Cruise Director Julie) and Jill Whelan (Captain’s daughter Vicki), recently named Regal Princess, having served as the ship’s godparents before the cruise ship’s maiden Caribbean season and their appearance in the New Year’s Day parade. Ted Lange is still as sharp as ever. The show ran for ten years and has a place in everyone’s heart. “It was about romance every week ,“ said Lange. That’s the one thing that’s in a lot of people lives tuned in because the show gave them a feeling .”
“Since the theme of this year’s Rose Parade was ‘Inspiring Stories,’ we thought it was the perfect opportunity to launch our 50th anniversary year celebrations,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “For the last five decades our guests have been sailing with us to amazing places and they’ve returned with inspiring memories that have lasted a lifetime, and we want to celebrate this throughout our golden anniversary year.”
The Princess Cruises float measured 60 feet long and 24 feet high with more than 24,000 flowers and natural materials. Flowers included roses, orchids and carnations, dendrobs, tulips, cymbidiums, delphiniums and gerbera daisies.
The Donate to Life Parade float represents thousands around the world. In their passing deceased donors open up a whole new world of health, sight and mobility to people in need. John Brockington won the National Championship in the 1968 Rose Bowl while playing for Ohio State. He went on to play for the Green Bay Packers. He moved to San Diego and befriended long time Packer fan Diane Scott. He suffered kidney failure in 2000. In 2001 she donated her kidney to John they later married. In the Parade John rode the Float and Dianne was one of 30 donors to walk along side the Donate to Life float .
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game and a variety of associated events. The Tournament’s 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. The 126th Rose Parade was presented by Honda.