Veterans Turn Out for Day of Pride and Remembrance

From the sailor who toured the Pacific in World War II to the Vietnam soldier who recalled his stint as an Army medic, veterans across Ventura County gathered Tuesday to celebrate years of military service--and honor comrades who did not make it home.

In a poignant ceremony at Ventura’s Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, different generations marched together and released a flock of white doves into the overcast sky. As musicians moved from rousing victory tunes to mournful taps, veterans were swept by memories that have not faded.

“It’s taken me quite awhile to get here,” said Oxnard resident Alan Mitose, a former Vietnam Army medic who said he avoided formal Veterans Day ceremonies until this year.

“It’s too emotional,” said Mitose, 50. “Usually I sit home and cry.”

Across the county in Thousand Oaks’ Conejo Creek Park, another Veterans Day celebration was canceled because of poor weather.

But that did not stop many from paying respects at a fountain in the park dedicated to American veterans.

“I tossed and turned all night thinking about them and wondering what their lives would have been like if they’d made it through,” said Thousand Oaks resident Bob Davies, a former Air Force colonel in World War II who was held as a prisoner of war for a year after being shot down over Croatia.

“I got through the bloody thing,” said Davies, 79. “A lot of my buddies didn’t.”

In neighboring Simi Valley, former Commander-in-Chief Ronald Reagan spent the holiday at the presidential library and museum that bears his name.

Dressed in a dark suit and burgundy tie, Reagan greeted a passel of schoolchildren from Pasadena. He smiled and waved as the youngsters’ thrilled parents snapped pictures during Reagan’s rare public appearance.

“He has wanted to go to the library, and today seemed like the perfect day since, technically, it’s a holiday,” said Reagan aide Joanne Drake.

In other veterans’ events Tuesday, the city of Oxnard hosted a breakfast and ceremony at Oxnard High School. The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District, along with Camarillo veterans groups, rededicated a swimming pool site to 15 area residents who died in Vietnam.

At Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, an hourlong ceremony began with a procession of about 20 color guards culled from veterans’ societies, local schools and the Port Hueneme and Point Mugu Navy bases. Some 300 people--veterans, their spouses, children and grandchildren--listened as military officials explained why the day is so important to them.

“American society has been served by soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines,” said Capt. Daniel L. Hambrock, commanding officer of the Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion Center. “Veterans never forget. The uniforms may be gone, but all the pride they’ve learned in the service stays with them forever.”

Mitose, the Vietnam veteran, said helping set up the Moving Wall memorial to Vietnam veterans when it came to Ventura recently helped him deal with memories of a trying time.

“I have mixed emotions,” he said. “What happened in Vietnam--I’m still wrestling with what’s right and wrong. I’m kind of trying to hold on to that final thread of serving with honor.”

Clad in combat fatigues and a black beret, Mitose looked around the park at so many other Vietnam veterans. He said he felt proud for having served his country.

John Gelles, a Navy sailor who served in the Pacific during World War II, said he was moved by the turnout of veterans his age as well as others who served in Korea, Vietnam and later conflicts.

“When you come here, you’re spellbound by the variety of Americans who’ve protected the country,” said Gelles, a member of Ventura Jewish War Veterans Post 101.

“When you’re in the service, you get the feeling that you’re part of that variety. You see individuals from every walk of life--rich and poor, ethnic groups, men and women.”

Former Army Brig. Gen. Thomas O. Lawson of Camarillo said he too was moved by the turnout of veterans from different eras.

“We’re all veterans,” he said. “We need to march down the road together.”

Times staff writer Kate Folmar and correspondent Coll Metcalfe contributed to this story.