Flags Flutter in an Emotional Day of Salutes to War Dead

America’s war dead were honored throughout Southern California on Monday as Gov. Gray Davis promised better services for California’s older and disabled military veterans.

Speaking at the flag-bedecked Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood, Davis discussed previously announced proposals for five new veterans’ home facilities in California, including one adjacent to the graveyard and another in Lancaster.

“I feel duty-bound to do better with veterans’ homes in this state than we’ve done before,” Davis told a crowd of several hundred. “Our obligation to [veterans] just begins” when they return from overseas, said Davis, who is running for reelection this year against Republican Bill Simon Jr.

The ceremony in Los Angeles was one of several across the region. In Seal Beach, hundreds reflected on the role of American submarine forces in winning World War II, while the annual Memorial Day parade in Canoga Park drew crowds of area residents along with political figures and local dignitaries. In San Diego, a ceremony honored a woman Marine killed in the line of duty this year.

Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (D-Culver City) joined Davis for the Westwood presentation and said the state’s veterans should view the plans as a sign that they are not being taken for granted. Wesson, active in advocating the Los Angeles home in his district, recently worked out a compromise with San Joaquin Valley legislators to build one in the Fresno area, too.

Currently, there are three veterans’ homes in California. The five new homes, which would serve as many as 1,200 veterans, would be funded under a federal-state partnership, Davis said. He said that the home near the cemetery would be for veterans who need skilled nursing care and the home in Lancaster would provide assisted-living quarters.

The plans for the new homes stem from several proposals currently before the Assembly. Wesson’s plan would use funds from a $50-million state bond issue approved by voters two years ago for such homes. California officials say the federal government may provide as much as $55 million more.

More than 85,000 small American flags fluttered on the National Cemetery grass during Monday’s ceremonies, placed beside each grave by members of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. A choir sang anthems. Men dressed in Civil War uniforms launched cannon fire from vintage artillery pieces.

Among those listening to the speeches were veterans who have become fixtures at the annual event.

Steven Johnson, 78, fought in World War II and lost a brother, Mel, to enemy fire.

“I think about him all the time,” Johnson said. “But it’s nice to see other people think about veterans on Memorial Day.”

In the San Fernando Valley, young and old crowded blocked-off streets for the 14th annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by local businesses and community groups.

Participants included high school marching bands and cheerleaders, silver-clad equestrian groups and clowns who did magic tricks. Eight World War II fighter planes swooped low over the delighted crowd.

Clapping, whistling and waving along the sunbathed, two-mile route were cheering boys with sticky blue cotton candy smeared on their faces and giggling girls dressed in purple-and-yellow Lakers jerseys. The smell of horses, suntan lotion and barbecued meat drifted in the gentle breezes.

It was a multicultural event. Vendors sold red-white-and-blue Uncle Sam top hats and colorful Mexican sombreros. Bands played John Philip Sousa marches and mariachi music. Visitors munched on hot dogs and tacos. There were American flags, Mexican flags and Israeli flags.

“This parade is what America is all about,” said Debora Popowich. “It says we are truly united.”

“This is my style,” said her 5-year-old daughter, Natasha, whose curly hair was decorated with a red, white and blue bandanna and a couple of little American flags.

“I’m in the country of America,” Natasha said. “I like it.”

Members of the Castrellon family of West Hills said they attended the parade to demonstrate their support for firefighters, police and paramedics as well as those who gave their lives in the armed forces.

“I sometimes think about all that’s going on in the world, and how they’re helping us,” said 11-year-old Pamela Castrellon. “It’s nice to be here.”

Among those riding the parade route in vintage cars were Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), state Sen. Richard Alarcon (D-Sylmar), Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and City Councilman Dennis Zine.

In Seal Beach, about 500 people gathered at the World War II submarine memorial to pay tribute to the 3,500 American men who gave their lives in undersea actions between 1941 and 1945.

Military historian Roger McGrath said the submarines played a vital role during that war, sinking 214 enemy ships.

“What this small force did is stunning,” he said. “In effect, American submarines sank the Japanese empire.”

McGrath urged the veterans attending to share their stories in an effort to prevent Memorial Day from becoming just another excuse for a three-day weekend.

“Today, Memorial Day is buried under motor homes at the beach and beer cans on the side of the Colorado River,” he said. “That’s not saying much for 1 million dead Americans.”

As an Explorer Scout played taps on a bugle, veteran Dan Blumberg, his wife and three children watched as 52 red, white and blue carnations--one for each U.S. submarine lost in World War II--were dropped into a shallow pool.

“I want my children to know what happened,” Blumberg said. “I figure that out of 365 days, you can spend two hours remembering these men.”

In San Diego, officials unveiled a plaque at the city’s Mt. Soledad War Memorial for Sgt. Jeanette L. Winters, one of seven Marines killed when a KC-130 air tanker from Miramar Marine Corps Air Station crashed in Pakistan on Jan. 9. Winters was the first U.S. servicewoman to die in the war zone.

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Times staff writers Stuart Pfeifer, Tony Perry and Eric Malnic contributed to this story.