OUR LAGUNA: Honoring those who died in country’s service

An early morning drizzle didn’t dampen the ardor of the folks who gathered Monday in Heisler Park to honor the brave men and women who have died in the U.S. military service.

The most poignant moment of the ceremonies is always the tolling of the bell for members of the local posts of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion who have died in the past year. Retired U.S. Marine Col. Charles Quilter spoke for the dead, responding “No answer” when their names were called.

“This is tough,” said Jean Law, widow of Sgt. Major James Law, who died in December.

The keynote speaker this year was U.S. Marine Sgt. Casey McCullar who has been there, done that and is now teaching others how to do it.

He spoke for the living and the dead, including two of his comrades in arms.

“The sacrifices they made, the sacrifices their families made are the highest anyone could ever be asked to make — higher than any mother or father would even want to make,” McCullar said.

Serving one’s country is a choice, he said.

“Please don’t be fooled by the media and its focus on the hardships of war, of the sacrifice and the loss experienced by those serving,” McCullar said. “These are the things that a few choose to endure to provide the safety and well being of those we love — and even those we don’t. We do an injustice to them and their memories to do anything other than remember them for the brave men and women they are.

“This can be hard at times when it seems we are fighting a hopeless cause, but talk to any of those returning and they will tell you as they tell me that we are making forward progress. Things are not perfect, but we are making a difference — a difference seen every day by those living it, even if those of us here at home watching cannot.”

Choosing a member of the military as the keynote speaker is a departure from the custom of inviting a politician. McCullar explained how he was chosen:

“As some of you may know, the Marine Corps was born in a tavern in Pennsylvania. So it is no surprise when a Marine sitting at a bar asked the Marine serving drinks behind the bar if she knew anyone for the job. Well, she did.”

Barbara Cheney, formerly on active duty and now in nursing school, the bartender who recommended McCullar, attended Laguna’s Memorial Day ceremonies to applaud his talk, along with the locals.

Everybody loved his recollection of comments about Marines attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt:

“The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds and the highest morale of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps.”

Don’t ever make the mistake this reporter did once, calling a retired Marine a former Marine.

“There is no such thing as a former Marine,” I was told in no uncertain terms.

As is customary, community groups presented floral arrangement that were laid at the base of the veteran’s monument, which was dedicated to the city by Post 222 in 1959.

Presenters included Bob Mosier for the Friends of the Library, Bobbi Cox for the Laguna Board of Realtors, Rose Hancock for the Chamber of Commerce, Ken Anderson for the Sawdust Festival and Bette Anderson representing Village Laguna. Anita Mangels and John Hoover made the presentation for the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. Margaret Warder and her daughter, Sabrina, presented a Rosemary plant symbolizing remembrance on behalf of Soroptimists International.

Retired U.S. Navy Captain Eric Jensen presented his offering in memory of Naval Lt. Robin Andrew Pierce.

The Quilter Family, including Bonaventure Dusabimana, paid tribute to Ann Quilter’s father, Marine Brig. Gen. Homer G. Hutchinson, a pioneer in night combat flights, who died in April.

The crowd was welcomed by Richard Moore, adjutant of Legion Post 222, post commander Bill Sandlin and Ben Blount, commander of VFW Post 5686. Madeleine Visca sang the Star Spangled Banner at the start of the ceremonies.

Speakers also included Dianne Connell, president of the legion post auxiliary and Dorothy Twomey, president of the VFW auxiliary.

“Freedom is a gift worth living for — worth dying for, to protect at any cost,” Twomey said. “Though I no longer serve, you will always see in me someone proud to be a veteran and someone thankful to be free.”

Shirley Charlesworth, Barbara Rostolder, Marion Rice, Sande St. John and Sandi Werthe were among the auxiliary members who handed out programs and sold the red paper poppies that help fund assistance to veterans.

“Donations are channeled directly into veteran’s rehabilitation and welfare, as well as programs for children and youth,” legion auxiliary poppy chair Law said.

The poppies are made by disabled veterans in shops and Veterans Administration hospitals.

“It is part of the physical and psychological therapy program by veterans for veterans,” Law said.

Mayor Jane Egly also spoke, just at the sun broke through the clouds.

Egly recounted a visit she and her husband, retired Judge Paul Egly, made to Normandy.

“I was overwhelmed with sadness by the tombstones of all the people who died for our country,” Egly said.

“War is so horrible that it should never be the first option.”

The ceremony concluded with “Taps,” the mournful musical farewell to those who died in the service of their country.

Although the customary Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast could not be held this year because of the renovation of Heisler Park, the traditional Community Band Concert at Main Beach followed the ceremony at Monument Point.

The concert kicks off the band’s summer concert series, which includes appearances on July 4 at the Sawdust Festival, July 16 and Aug. 18 at the Festival of Arts, July 20 at Art-a-Fair, Aug. 10 at the Nixon Library, and stretching out the season, the Oktoberfest, Oct. 5 at Tivoli Too.

Bravo.

OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; hand-deliver to Suite 22 in the Lumberyard, 384 Forest Ave.; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.