TRIBUTES TO VETERANS, J.F.K. AIR AGAIN

With echoes of Memorial Day observances still in the air and this being the actual date of the holiday, two local stations tonight will be repeating special tributes to American veterans and a slain former President.

GIs who fought on Iwo Jima during World War II returned to that tiny island for an emotional reunion in 1985, a gathering captured in “Return to Iwo Jima.” The hourlong program encores at 8 p.m. on Channel 5, hosted by Ed McMahon.

Following at 9 on the same station, “The Unknown Soldier” profiles a half-dozen soldiers who lost their lives in that war. Jason Robards is host of this hour, made as a tribute to the 400,000 casualties of WWII.

Also at 9 p.m., KCET Channel 28 will be showing Mike Farrell in “JFK: A One-Man Show,” in which the actor portrays former President John F. Kennedy. Walter Cronkite hosts.

Other local stations will be broadcasting the “Children’s Miracle Network Telethon” this weekend. The annual event seeks funds for area children’s hospitals, including Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.

The telethon starts at 6 p.m. on Channel 9 and Channel 3, 7 p.m. on Channel 8. Marie Osmond, John Schneider, Bob Hope, Merlin Olsen, Marilyn McCoo, Rich Little and Malcolm-Jamal Warner are among the many celebrities scheduled to be involved. The telethon continues to 3 p.m. Sunday.