Pasadena’s 2015 Rose Parade Grand Marshal WW11 Hero Louis Zamperini dies

Photographs by Terry Miller

Pasadena’s 2015 Rose Parade Grand Marshal WW11 Hero Louis Zamperini dies By Terry Miller Many said Tournament of Roses President, Richard L. Chinen’s choice was’ wonderful and a natural choice” for the theme of next year’s parade while many more pondered whether the 97 year old war hero would live long enough to ride those 5 miles in the parade on January 1. Sadly, the cynics were right. Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner whose remarkable story of survival as a prisoner of war in World War II gained new attention in 2010 with the publication of a best-selling biography by Laura Hillenbrand, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 97. A statement released by his family said he had been suffering from pneumonia. In May Zamperini was announced as the Grand Marshal for the 2015 Tournament of Roses, themed “Inspiring Stories.” Zamperini, age 97, was slated to ride in the 126th Rose Parade® on January 1, 2015. Tournament of Roses President, Richard L. Chinen, made the announcement at a press conference at Tournament House in Pasadena. In his remarks, Chinen referred to Zamperini as” inspiring in his courage and resilience.” “Louis Zamperini’s life story illustrates the strength of human spirit in many ways. From becoming a young sports hero in Southern California to surviving for 47 days on an inflatable raft in the Pacific Ocean and then persevering for more than two years held in captivity in Japan, Louis now lives as an enduring symbol of perseverance, heroism and forgiveness. His life is truly a series of ‘Inspiring Stories,’ and I am elated and humbled that he accepted our invitation to be the 2015 Grand Marshal.” “It is such an honor to be the Grand Marshal of the 126th Rose Parade,” said Zamperini. “Growing up in Torrance, the parade route on Colorado Boulevard is one I have been familiar with my whole life. I look forward to sharing the experience with my family and all the fans of the Rose Parade who will be watching.” Zamperini wrote his personal history in the book “Devil at My Heels” and his life story was documented in the New York Times best-selling book, “Unbroken,” written by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Laura Hillenbrand. In December 2014, Universal Pictures will release the movie, “Unbroken,” a feature adaptation of the book. Born in 1917 to Italian immigrants, Zamperini moved to Torrance, California in 1919 and became a world-class runner by the end of high school. Qualifying to run in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, he was America’s top finisher in the 5000 meter run, finishing the final lap in 56 seconds and causing Adolf Hitler to request a personal meeting with the track star. During World War II, Zamperini retired from running and joined the U.S. Armed Forces as a bombardier in the South Pacific. While on a reconnaissance mission, Zamperini’s aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean. He and a crewmate survived for 47 days in shark-infested waters eventually drifting into a Japanese-controlled region where he was held and tortured for another two years. He survived the brutality of the war and came back to Southern California where he was treated like a hero and celebrated for his longevity. Zamperini married, had a family and started on a quest of forgiveness as an inspirational speaker – meeting with and forgiving the Japanese military guards who tortured him. Until very recently, Zamperini was still lecturing around the world on how to deal with stress, the meaning of Olympic spirit and the freedom he has found through a personal relationship with God.

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