KNIGHT JOINS FELLOW VETERANS IN MEMORIAL CEREMOY.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

Their stories are as varied as their experiences and are written in their eyes.

As war veterans, they carry their experiences with them and hope to keep alive the memories of those who did not survive.

During a ceremony on Veterans Day, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, vets were joined by post quartermaster Joe Domke and state Sen. William W.J. ``Pete'' Knight in honor of those who have served their country.

Knight, a retired Air Force colonel who spent 32 years in the service and flew more than 253 missions in Vietnam, said the freedoms in this country were made possible through the efforts of the veterans, adding that they should not be forgotten.

``It's a nasty job . . . the veteran, he does it,'' Knight said. ``Sometimes he comes home and he is hailed as a hero, and sometimes he comes home and is spit upon. We need to thank each and every one of them every day of our lives.''

Vietnam War veteran John Olesh, 50, of Canyon Country said today's youths can gain valuable knowledge from war veterans.

``We worry so much about kids and gangs, and what we need to do is find a way for kids to learn a value system different from our gratification society,'' Olesh said.

Recalling his 14 months in Vietnam, Olesh said the best part of the war was coming home, and the worst, knowing those who didn't.

World War II veteran Tony Marincola, 82, of Canyon Country remembered how difficult it was to see his friends die in combat during the Battle of the Bulge.

``People were being killed and wounded to the left and right of me,'' he said.

Marincola said he was always scared, thinking that he might be the next to die.

On Jan. 19, 1945, Marincola was wounded by shrapnel in his left thigh. At 25, he underwent surgery and was hospitalized for six weeks in France.

The ceremony also included a drill team, rifle team, saber team and a four-man exhibition rifle team, ranked No. 1 in the state.

Later in the afternoon, the Historical Veterans Memorial Committee, co-chaired by Warren K. Johnson and Joseph Hearn, was scheduled to hold a ceremony to honor area veterans and present plans for a proposed Historical Veterans Memorial and Military Court of Honor.

The committee has set its sights on the courtyard next to the Valencia Library at the Santa Clarita Civic Center, but the plan must first be approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. A second location being considered is the new Santa Clarita Central Park on Bouquet Canyon Road.

The sections of the Military Court of Honor would include an honor-roll wall with names of heroes and those killed in the line of duty; a service-roll wall honoring those who have served or are now serving in the military; a community wall including names of individuals in the community; victory walls including portraits from all the country's major wars and the names, dates and casualty numbers for each war.

Johnson said the memorial would provide the community with an opportunity to recognize those who have served our country.

``We need to know more about the people who served,'' he said.

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PHOTO (color) State Sen. W.J. ``Pete'' Knight told the Veterans Day ceremony, ``We need to thank each and every one of them every day of our lives.''

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer