VICTIMS OF WARS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN; MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE HELD AT SIMI CEMETERY.

Byline: Jesse Hiestand Daily News Staff Writer

As the crowd thinned Monday after a Memorial Day ceremony at the Simi Valley Public Cemetery, Korean War veteran Sal Ayala paused to survey the rows of grave sites, flowers and miniature American flags.

He said it brought back a flood of memories, some lighthearted and others stinging.

Ayala joked with another Army veteran about how officers would kick reluctant paratroopers out of the plane, lest their hesitation send other soldiers to the wrong, perhaps deadly, landing zone.

But beneath the hearty laugh was a touch of sorrow Ayala felt for fellow members of the 82nd Airborne who lost their lives in Korea.

In Ayala's case, the memory of one fallen comrade is revived every time he turns on the radio and hears his buddy's favorite song.

``To think, that one song. He liked that song so much. It's sad,'' Ayala said. ``It makes you want to cry.''

Several veterans wiped away tears when wreaths were laid during the Memorial Day program sponsored by local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and U.S. Marine Corps League.

About 250 people, from Boy Scouts and veterans to city officials, paid tribute to the military men and women whose sacrifice ensured America's legacy of freedom for all.

``It's a special day to remember those who were willing to die for their country,'' said 11-year-old Jonathan Christopher of Simi Valley. ``I thought it was a very good ceremony.''

Shirley Giambastiani also said the ceremony was touching. She was especially proud of her husband, Al, who played taps on the bugle.

``I've always been patriotic - the flag goes up every Memorial Day, every Fourth of July,'' said Giambastiani, 48, of Chatsworth.

``This is a day to remember,'' she said. ``It makes you realize what a great country we live in when people can come out here like this.''

Giambastiani and others said they were moved by the speech of Simi Valley police Capt. Tony Harper, whose topic was the Normandy beach landing in World War II.

Scattered among the veterans at the cemetery Monday were a number of people who never served in the military but were grateful nonetheless.

``These are people who went to wars and died for us even if the wars weren't all that popular,'' said Steve Trocino, 43, of Simi Valley. ``A lot of people died so that (everyone else) can have a three-day weekend.''

Like Trocino, Desert Storm veteran Ben Houtman wondered if the true significance of Memorial Day is lost on many people, who might see it as simply a day off work or a chance to go to the beach.

``I wish more Americans would have that patriotic feeling every year,'' he said. ``It's not that hard to fly the flag and remember.''

Houtman, 38, recalled the time he came to this ceremony in May 1991, two days after he returned from Saudi Arabia and his duties with the Air Force.

On that day, six years ago, Houtman said, he showed up in full uniform and was warmly greeted by several Vietnam vets.

``It was very moving to me. Here they came to shake my hand and I should be shaking theirs,'' said Houtman, a Simi Valley resident who works on the B-2 stealth bomber for Northrop.

This Memorial Day ceremony has been going on for about 20 years, according to Dick Hlebasko, an event organizer and former B-24 gunner for the Navy in World War II.

``We memorialize the dead by helping the living,'' he said, urging more people should join him as a volunteer at the Veterans Hospital in Los Angeles.

``We're trying to instill in the younger people that they should be part of this history,'' said Hlebasko, 72, of Simi Valley.

The day's message got through loud and clear to Corey Willis, 11.

The youngster said, given the chance, he would tell other kids that Memorial Day was a time ``they should be honoring the people who fought and died for us.''

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Photo: Sal Ayala holds his granddaughter, Jennifer, while his son, James, and daughter-in-law, Kelly, enjoy a Memorial Day dinner held at Ayala's Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Simi Valley.

Bob Halvorsen/Daily News