PAYING TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN PATRIOTS : VETERANS HAIL LARGE TURNOUT AT T.O. PARK.

Byline: Christopher Noxon and Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writers

The daughter of a World War II veteran, Theresa Minguez of Newbury Park 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 television 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 an artificial 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.

The service included a few songs from the Seniors of Note Optimist Club, a three-shot salute from Crenshaw High School ROTC cadets and remarks from retired Gen. Herbert Temple. It was, said veteran George Bowlinger, a rare but welcome display of community patriotism.

``When I was a young man people put out their flags every chance they got,'' said Bowlinger, a B-17 tailgunner 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.''

Standing nearby, chewing on the stem of a pipe, Korean War veteran Frank Doerfler said most people don't understand how much of their freedom they owe to soldiers.

``No one under 40 really appreciates the freedoms we have thanks to our veterans,'' said Doerfler, a physicist from Thousand Oaks. ``We owe it all to veterans.''

After the speeches and songs were done, Bowlinger stayed behind with two other veterans to trade stories of towns they had seen, leaves they remembered and battles they could not forget.

Rosie Nolan, 72, a paratrooper who took part in the invasion of Normandy and went on to coach football at Thousand Oaks High School, said Monday's event gave him a chance to catch up with friends who shared a common bond.

``We're just a bunch of old codgers shooting the bull,'' he said.

In Simi Valley, a similar somber-yet-proud feeling freely flowed.

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

Earlier in the 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. Although they were emblems of valor, the ribbons and pins also provided 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, Korea and Vietnam. Ever since the end of the Vietnam war, the Simi Valley veteran has attended Veterans Day observances to honor his friends' undying patriotism.

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

Garcia was among more than 100 people who gathered 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 participants 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, R-Simi Valley; Ventura County Supervisor Judy Mikels; and Simi Valley Mayor Pro Tem Bill Davis.

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 paratrooper in World War II. ``They gave with their time, effort and blood.''

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Photo: (1-2--color) Veteran Sal Ayala, above, stands at attention with his rifle during a Veterans Day ceremony at Rancho Tapo Park in Simi Valley. Lester Wagner, left, and William R. Duffy hold flags as they commemorate fallen friends at Monday's Veterans Day ceremony at Rancho Tapo Park.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News