Of war and remembrance

Lindsay Sandham

While many Americans enjoy the extra day off work with a barbecue,

spending time with friends and family, many more celebrate Memorial

Day as the holiday it is intended to be -- a day to remember and

honor fallen soldiers who died serving the country.

Hundreds of people gathered at Harbor Lawn Memorial Park Monday

for the 51st annual Memorial Day services Monday, sponsored by

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3536. The entire cemetery was lined

with American flags and every gravestone of a war veteran was

decorated with its own miniature flag.

“It’s always impressive,” said Costa Mesa’s Don Andrews, who

served in the Marine Corps. “That’s why every year we keep coming

back.”

Complete with a 21-gun salute, bagpipes and the release of white

doves, the ceremony paid special tribute to the 60th anniversary of

the Battle of Iwo Jima, along with the many wars fought in the

nation’s history.

“The true meaning of Memorial Day is evident to those of you who

are present today,” said Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor in his

welcome speech. “Many Americans have lost the connection to this

tradition.”

Costa Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran, who also spoke during the

ceremony, said the American flag is the greatest symbol of freedom on

earth.

“Memorial Day -- as with every day -- is a day of celebration of

freedom, also a remembrance of the sacrifices of our service men and

women,” Tran said. “Freedom, as you all know, is not free.”

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) was the keynote

speaker. He stressed that Memorial Day is not just a holiday, but a

day of gratitude and remembrance.

Boy Scouts from various local troops volunteered their time to

pass out fliers at the service, and many spent all day Saturday

decorating the graves of war veterans.

“We like to participate -- this is a good event for the boys,”

said scoutmaster of Troop 666, Matt Van Gorden. “We talk about

commitment and the sacrifices our fathers and grandfathers made so we

could be here enjoying this beautiful day.”

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at

(714) 966-4625 or lindsay.sandham@latimes.com.