Wroblickys to Ride as Parade Marshals

It’s hard to believe that Emil Wroblicky, who could be called Mr. American Legion for his outstanding commitment to the local Post, joined the organization through sheer expedience. But 25 years ago, he and his wife Alice were simply looking for a hall to hold their son?s wedding reception. “We found out that the hall [on La Cruz] is free for Legionnaires,” recalls the ex-Marine. “All you had to pay was $35 for the clean-up man.” Wroblicky officially joined the group in 1978 but jumped in enthusiastically about eight years ago when his Legion buddy, the late Bill Warwachek, lamented that the group’s dinner-dances at the Legion hall weren’t drawing enough guests. Emil immediately thought: Bring in good music and they will come. “I was always interested in jazz and Dixieland from listening to the radio as a kid and I later used to drive all over to hear those people who played with the best – Count Basie and Duke Ellington,” Emil says. Over time, he got to know a few of them, guys like Abe Most (leading clarinetist for Benny Goodman) and Ernie Bernardi, who besides being a L. A. City Councilman for many years, played alto saxophone for Les Brown. So Emil invited them to play, and charged members $12.50 for the evening, eight years ago. “Where can you get a good dinner and a good band for that?” says Emil, adding that the price has since jumped to $20, but still boasts of terrific food, music and linen table dressings! Wroblicky moved up at the Legion, serving as commander one year and building the membership while continuing to arrange for bigger and better bands.”Most posts have to raise money through fundraisers of one kind or another, but thanks to our revenue from the U.S. Post Office building and the Sav-On building, we can give more money to support the veterans and pay a little more for the bands.” Emil has carried the banner for good music beyond the Legion Hall and onto the streets by wooing top military bands to march in the Palisades Fourth of July parade. Last year, the 1st Marine Division Band from Camp Pendleton lent some real spit and polish to the parade lineup. PAPA, the parade organizing committee, will honor the Wroblickys this July 4 by having the couple ride as parade marshals, right behind reviewing officer General Carl Jensen, commanding officer at Miramar Marine Air Station. His Miramar band will be close behind. Wroblicky says that occasionally he is accused of favoring the Marine Corps, but again, he knows how to get things done. “I am supporting all the veterans regardless what branch,” Emil says, adding “But, once a Marine, always a Marine. It makes it easier.” In 2001, Wroblicky invited Marine Commandant (“That’s like the president of the Marine Corps”) Michael Hagee to be the parade?s reviewing officer. “Here was this 3-star general at the time, riding along the parade route, when all of a sudden he jumped out of the car and posed with our grandchildren,” Emil recalls. “The reviewing officers help put the Palisades parade on the map,” Alice says. “These guys have a good time and they’re well taken care of by the Legion.” Emil and Alice, who have been married for 54 years and have lived in the Palisades since 1957, haven’t missed a parade yet. “The parade used to get started on Earlham, so it would always pass by our house on Swarthmore,” Alice says. Over the years their three sons joined them and then over time, one of more of their nine grandchildren. Both Midwesterners, the Wroblickys met at a church dance in 1947 in Blue Island, south of Chicago. After earning his B.A. degree on the GI Bill at Drake University and a master’s degree at Notre Dame, Emil got a job as head football coach at St. Monica’s. The young couple packed up the car and drove Route 66 out to California so Emil could start his new job after Labor Day 1951. Two years at St. Monica’s and 33 years at Cal State Los Angeles, where he coached and taught physical education, proved to be a satisfying and full career for Emil. Alice involved herself with the children and now grandchildren?s activities, and supported Emil. “I get involved because he?s involved,” she says. “I always end up being secretary and official greeter at the Legion functions.” These days, Emil travels the country to participate in American Legion conventions and meetings. The highlight of his and Alice’s involvement was the five days they spent in Washington, D. C. last week for the World War II Memorial festivities. The day before the official dedication, the Wroblickys were invited to the Marine Barracks (the oldest U.S. Marine Post in the United States) to view the biggest parade of all, viewing the Drum and Bugle Corps, Silent Drill Platoon (that responds without verbal commands) and the President’s own U.S. Marine Band. “A thunderstorm came up while we were waiting,” says Alice. “I asked one of the Marines if he thought the parade would be canceled. He said, “The Marines would never cancel for the rain.”