Barbara DiamondLaguna paid its respects on Monday...

Barbara Diamond

Laguna paid its respects on Monday to the men and women who gave

their lives to preserve America’s freedoms.

“‘Human shields’ is a new term we’ve been hearing,” said Mickey

Conroy, keynote speaker at the Laguna Beach Memorial Day ceremonies.

“Look at veterans cemeteries if you want to see true human shields.”

American Legion Post 222 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868

present the ceremonies annually at Monument Point in Heisler Park.

The elegant, spare obelisk was dedicated in 1959 to honor those who

made the supreme sacrifice for their country.

“Since 1946, the citizens of Laguna Beach have gathered at this

space to honor those who protected our country,” Mayor Toni Iseman

said. “I have talked to some of the gentleman here today and asked

them how old they were when they served. They were 17 or 18. Look

behind me at the band. That’s what we are talking about.”

Iseman’s brother, uncle and cousin served in the military, as did

her partner, Steve Miller.

“When you talk to the people who had those experiences, they

become real,” Iseman said.

Sadly, many of the survivors have passed to the “Post

Everlasting,” without their stories being preserved.

Eleven members of the Laguna posts were silenced this past year.

When their names were called out, veteran Hal Werthe replied, “No

answer,” on their behalf. A bell tolled for them and for the

Californian military personnel who have died in Iraq.

“I read somewhere that every time a veteran dies, it’s like a

library burning down,” said American Legion Auxiliary member Jean

Law.

“America’s Forgotten War” was the theme of the ceremonies on

Monday. The Korean War began 53 years ago and ended 50 years ago.

“It was only considered a policing action, but all the troops and

all the equipment were dispatched,” said 222 adjutant Jim Law, who

retired from the U.S. Marines as a sergeant major, the highest rank

possible for enlisted personnel.

America has never resolved its conflict in Korea, Law said, and

40,000 troops are stationed as “peacekeepers” near the demilitarized

zone that separates North Korea and South Korea.

“We dedicate this memorial ceremony to those who gave their lives

in Korea,” Law said.

Law and other veterans of the conflict were invited to stand and

were acknowledged with applause.

Monday’s ceremony was not held to honor the living, but the dead,

said keynote speaker Conroy, also a retired Marine and a former

assemblyman.

“We are gathered here to pay homage to those who gave their lives

so that we can enjoy our freedoms,” Conroy said.

The Laguna Beach High School Band performed its traditional

prelude to the ceremony, directed by Wade Hendricks. Post 222

Commander Dave Connell welcomed the crowd and asked the audience to

stand as Madeleine Visca sang the Star Spangled Banner. The flag was

raised to full staff and then lowered to half staff, the traditional

recognition of the honored dead.

Boy Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

“It is heartwarming to veterans to see the boy and girl scouts and

all they do,” Connell said.

Auxiliary President Diane Connell recounted the history of the red

paper poppies made by veterans to raise funds for their disabled and

hospitalized comrades. Auxiliaries accept donations for the poppies.

“They are a perpetual memorial to those who lost their lives in

World War I and they bloom every year with the auxiliary,” Connell

said.

She read the poem “In Flanders Field,” which inspired the poppies.

Post 222 First Vice Commander Richard Moore conducted the

presentation of memorial floral offerings from Laguna Beach

organizations. The floral arrangements were later distributed to

South Coast Medical Center, the Laguna Beach retirement Community and

the Veterans Memorial Building for the enjoyment of the living.

Presenters included the Laguna Beach Firefighters Assn., the

Police Employees Assn., the Ebell Club, the Laguna Beach Community

Band and the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library. Nicholas Kinsman,

9, son of Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman, presented a bouquet in memory

of his grandfather, Ab Brown, who fought in the Marshall Islands

during World War II.

After the benediction by Post 222 Chaplain Larry Bland, a Camp

Pendleton firing detail of seven men shot three rounds in the

customary 21-gun salute to fallen heroes.

A bugler played “Taps” as the flag was raised to full staff.

“Every time I hear that piece of music, it just tears my heart

out,” said Robert Van Gorder, veteran Laguna Beach motorcycle

officer.

“We must remind ourselves that today’s ceremony was not a

celebration of war, but a celebration of peace,” Bland said. “Today,

we must rededicate ourselves to the celebration of peace.”

The ceremony concluded with the singing of “God Bless America.”