NATION'S UNSELFISH DEFENDERS HONORED : TRIBUTES TO VETERANS HELD COUNTYWIDE.

Byline: Alicia Doyle and Christopher Noxon Daily News Staff Writers

His weathered features etched with time and memories, Chris Garcia stood far from the crowd Monday as dozens of retired military veterans flocked to salute the men and women who served from Bunker Hill to the Persian Gulf.

Earlier that morning, the 71-year-old proudly draped his shoulders with his faded khaki uniform jacket - highly decorated with gold medals and stripes of yellow, blue and red. Though he was honored for his valor, the ribbons and pins are also vivid reminders of the close friends Garcia lost as casualties of war.

``I came to honor my fellow soldiers,'' said Garcia, who fought in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. Since the end of the wars, the Simi Valley man has been dedicated to attending Veterans Day observances to honor his friends' undying patriotism.

``They went to serve with enthusiasm, hope and no complaints,'' Garcia said. ``But many of them suffered. And many of them died.''

Known as Armistice Day until 1954, Nov. 11 is remembered as the day peace treaties were signed in 1918 to end World War I. The documents were signed on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 a.m.

Garcia was among more than 100 people who gathered Monday at the Veterans Memorial in Rancho Tapo Park to pay tribute to the men and women who died fighting for America's freedom. Hundreds of other veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War also attended ceremonies throughout Ventura County.

Simi Valley guests were welcomed with a flag-raising ceremony and bugle medley. Local groups in attendance included the U.S. Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. Among the guest speakers were state Sen. Cathie Wright, county Supervisor Judy Mikels and Simi Valley Mayor Pro Tem Bill Davis.

Plush trees with changing autumn leaves shaded the crowd during the Pledge of Allegiance. Cloudless blue skies soothed the teary-eyed as they bowed their heads in prayer.

``They served with pride - they did not serve for war, they served for peace,'' Mikels said. ``The biggest honor we can give these veterans is to take the responsibility to preserve the qualities, values and morals that make this nation great.''

Air Force veteran Harry Kundin, who gave an emotional tribute speech, said Americans would not have the freedom they have today if it were not for those who unselfishly defended this nation.

``When this country called, they answered,'' said Kundin, 78, a World War II paratrooper. ``They gave with their time, effort and blood.''

For 12-year-old Bryan Shallanberger, Veterans Day means ``remembering the people that used to fight for America - that they really worked hard for our country and were brave to do it.''

But the youngster said he would be unable to match that bravery if America ever had to face another war.

``If I had a choice, I wouldn't go fight,'' Bryan admitted. ``I don't like fighting. I want world peace - for everyone to get along.''

Meanwhile, in Thousand Oaks, similar patriotic thoughts abounded.

Theresa Minguez of Newbury Park, for instance - the daughter of a World War II veteran - was determined not to treat Monday as the bonus day of an extended weekend. The sprinkler system at home needed fixing, but that could wait.

She and her husband, Bill, dragged their two young sons away from cartoons and headed out the door. This was not, their mother told them, a regular day off.

``I don't want this to be just another holiday,'' Minguez said. ``I want my kids to grow up with respect for the military and their own freedom.''

Dressed in matching white T-shirts with their hair combed neatly off their faces, Aaron, 6, and Matthew, 5, headed out to Conejo Creek Park. They joined a crowd of about 200 gathered at the edge of a man-made pond to pay tribute to men and women who fought and died for their country.

It was the biggest turnout in at least four years, organizers said. The crowd included a state senator, a county supervisor, Vietnam veterans in baseball caps emblazoned with the logos of their divisions, Desert Storm veterans in full desert camouflage and World War II veterans wobbling on canes near the sidelines.

It was, said veteran George Bowlinger, a welcome but rare display of community patriotism.

``When I was a young man people put out their flags every chance they got,'' said Bowlinger, a B-17 tail gunner in World War II. ``When the time came for you to serve, you might not be thrilled about it, but you damn well did it. If you love something, you are beholden to protect it.''

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Photo: (1-2--color) Disabled American Veteran Sal Ayala, above, stands at attention with his rifle Monday during a Veterans Day ceremony at Rancho Tapo Park in Simi Valley. At left, Veterans of Foreign Wars members Lester Wagner, left, and William R. Duffy hold flags as they remember fallen friends at the event.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News