VETERAN VOICE WWII SOLDIER TALKS TO STUDENTS.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Jerry Sullivan turned 19 the day he sailed off, passing under the Golden Gate Bridge as Frank Sinatra's ``Sentimental Journey'' serenaded young Americans headed for the Philippines and World War II.

But the naivete of a proud young man sent over seas to defend his country quickly disappeared when he was sent ahead to survey enemy presence in remote jungle terrain and witnessed his sergeant die from two shots to his head.

Nearly 60 years after he returned home 20 pounds lighter, ravaged by malaria and jaundice, and decorated with a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars, Sullivan shared his memories of war with eighth-graders Wednesday at La Mesa Junior High.

``We ate everything cold because there were never any fires allowed on the front lines,'' he said. ``And we never wore any emblems of any kind on the front lines, because (the enemy) would see that and shoot.''

Sullivan's daughter, Elizabeth, who is a teacher at La Mesa, used the writings of Anne Frank and her father's stories of 43 months spent in the Philippines to give her students a reality of war no books, films or photos could describe.

Students carefully inspected a worn, brown leather ammunition case that Sullivan wore on his belt as a sergeant in the Army's 37th Division, Ohio National Guard, as well as newspaper clippings and mid-century photos that revealed the his blue eyes unchanged over time.

And they listened to the horror stories - the ones that really defined the war - seen by those eyes.

``I lost 11 men one day. I saw I don't know how many people killed. A lot of the vets have suffered because of this,'' said the 76-year-old father of nine.

Family friend Lorri Darby spoke about the importance of honoring war veterans like Sullivan, herself the daughter and granddaughter of soldiers.

She gave each student a copy of a war poem written by her mother in 1964 and asked them to decorate it. The cards will be delivered to terminally ill veterans at a San Fernando Valley veteran's hospital Monday in honor of Memorial Day.

Student Ryan De Clouette, 13, has watched television programs about the war and hopes to one day write about the experiences of those who lived it.

``I always wanted to write a little book on a World War II vet, but I was always too afraid to ask questions because I didn't want to bring up painful memories for them,'' De Clouette said. ``I knew about how the Japanese civilians ran out with grenades, but hearing it, it had to be terrifying.''

Elizabeth Sullivan shared her pride in her father's bravery with the students, but remembered a childhood practice that made the war seem a distant memory.

``When I was a kid and needed a last-minute Halloween costume, I'd wear his (Army) jacket,'' she said, holding the garment as her father identified each medal.

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color; 1 -- color in SAC edition only; 2 -- ran in SAC edition only) Jerry Sullivan shows his dress uniform to La Mesa Junior High students, above. Below right, Casey Lanski, 13, tries on Sullivan's coat while Lorri Darby puts her dad's Marine cap on him.

(3 -- ran in SAC edition only) Phil Scaletta, 14, looks at an old photo of Jerry Sullivan while the Pacific Theater veteran speaks to his class Wednesday.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer