HAILING U.S. MILITARY : CROWDS REMEMBER WAR HEROES THOUSANDS ATTEND MEMORIAL SERVICES.

Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer

Thousands of people flocked to Memorial Day services held Monday in Simi Valley and Westlake Village to honor Americans who sacrificed their lives in military service to preserve freedom and democracy around the world.

On a day that traditionally marks the start of the summer season, the sight of large crowds leaving their barbecues to pay tribute to war heroes was especially moving to veterans in the audience.

``I look and I see all these different faces. It's wonderful to think people would come out and honor us like this,'' said Chick Carter, 87, a World War II veteran who attended a program at Simi Valley Cemetery along with about 200 other people.

``I lost more buddies than I can remember in WWII,'' Carter said. ``But they didn't lose their lives in vain. What we were sent out to do - we did it.''

In Westlake Village, an elaborate presentation at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park by the Conejo-Simi Valley Chapter of the Retired Officers Association drew about 2,000 people.

For Vietnam veteran Randy Thomas, who was dressed in a camouflage army jacket and walked solemnly across the flag-draped cemetery, the sight of so many people of all ages paying tribute to veterans was a heart-warming experience.

He said views of the Vietnam War have changed.

``I think people are changing their attitudes,'' he said. It's a shame it took 25 years for people in America to start recognizing the Vietnam veterans as heroes.''

At the Simi Valley Cemetery services, organized by local veterans' groups, the audience listened to speeches about the sacrifices made by the armed forces over the years.

Mayor Greg Stratton reminded the crowd that American troops are still in danger in Bosnia, and he warned that world peace is still far from being achieved.

Stratton urged the audience to reject intolerance, which he labeled one of the major threats to peace and freedom around the globe.

``Intolerance is the enemy of peace and freedom,'' he said. ``Intolerance is one of the great enemies of America.''

Roger Willis, pastor of Valley Bible Community Church, said Americans owe much of their freedom to veterans who fought to their death to protect the nation's ideals.

``I appreciate the ones who went, especially the ones who died,'' said Willis, 49. ``So many people of my generation, the '60s generation, . . . were rebellious and . . . had a lack of appreciation, and I don't want my children to take things for granted.''.

Five of his six children attended the services with him. His daughter Rachelle, 18, said many youths do not appreciate the freedoms that they enjoy in the United States and do not fully understand the sacrifices that have helped to preserve the American way of life.

``We live such an easy life, being in America, and a lot of people my age . . . blame all their problems in the world on their parents or grandparents,'' she said. ``I'm grateful for what they gave to us.''

She said the service helped her to understand how lucky she is to have a living father, a veteran of the Air Force.

At the Westlake Village Memorial Day services, Peggy Sonntag of Oak Park said she hoped young people across America would take a moment on to appreciate America's fallen heroes.

``They (young adults) haven't experienced the conflicts, so they tend to take things for granted,'' she said. ``We owe veterans respect and gratitude.''

Her husband Alan, an Air Force veteran, echoed that opinion.

``People need to think about why we enjoy this day off,'' he said. ``Millions of people have given up their lives so that we all can enjoy the freedom that we have. People paid the ultimate price for us to enjoy our life.''

CAPTION(S):

6 Photos

Photo: (1--Conejo edition only) In services Monday at We stlake Village, members of the California Historical Group re-enact the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima, where U.S. Marines landed Feb. 19, 1944.

(2--Conejo edition only--Color) Pilots of the Condor Squadron fly AT-6 Texans over Pierce Brothers Memorial Park in Westlake Village on Monday while a World War II patriotic scene is re-enacted on the ground.

(3--Conejo edition only--Color) Members of the National Indian Wars Association wear cavalry uniforms Monday.

(4--Simi edition only--Color) Coast Guard Petty Officer Mark Jensen and his wife, Serena, bow their heads.

(5--Simi edition only--Color) Elizabeth Duran joins her mother, Terri, and uncle John Siqueido at the grave of her late grandfather Thomas Siqueido, who served in the Navy during the Korean War. In the background, Thomas'son William hugs his wife, Sandy, at the Simi Valley Public Cemetery.

(6--Simi edition only) Harry Kundin, left, of Simi Valley and Pat O'Connor of Long Beach salute the flat during the playing of ``Taps'' at Memorial Day services at Simi Valley's Public Cemetery.

Evan Yee/Daily News