A Protest and Honor on a Day of Memorials

As Memorial Day services were held around Orange County to pay tribute to Americans who have died in war, a ceremonial presentation in Irvine in support of a project organized by veterans attracted spirited, though peaceful, opposition from other veterans.

In a gathering at Irvine City Hall organized by Mayor Larry Agran, 150 to 200 members of Orange County Friends of Nicaraguan Children showed up for a presentation of money they had collected to the Veterans Peace Convoy.

The convoy, which is traveling through the United States, is collecting money to buy 2,000 tons of oats to be delivered in June to several organizations in Managua for distribution to needy families in Nicaragua.

Signs, Chanting, Singing

Outside Irvine City Hall, about 20 to 30 people carrying signs chanted and sang their disapproval of the organization and of Agran. Some of the signs carried by the protesters said: “No Gays, No Sandinista Support, No Agran,” “You Dishonor Our Veterans” and “Hang Traitors.”

Dick DeLapp, incoming president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Irvine, was among the protesters. He said there had been no official organization to protest Monday’s ceremonies in Irvine but that local VFW members had “spread the word” to the group that assembled.

DeLapp said he was concerned that Agran had used City Hall to hold the presentation ceremony.

“I don’t deny they can do their thing, but to invade public property and come in here and use City Hall. And on this day,” he said.

Joan Copple, incoming president of the local VFW women’s auxiliary, also protested the ceremony and said it was “. . . a total disgrace to American veterans.”

The Irvine meeting was filmed by an independent documentary company, and a ceremony was scheduled in the parking lot for them to film. Agran put a large sack of rolled oats into a small pickup truck that was part of the convoy.

Protesters Followed Mayor

The protesters followed behind the Irvine mayor and chanted during the filming. But they did nothing else to disrupt the ceremony.

Agran later said that he was not surprised by the presence of the demonstrators, explaining that he had expected “a little bit” of opposition.

Other Memorial Day services in the county were more peaceful and much more traditional.

About 300 people gathered for the 50th annual Memorial Day service at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton. The Memorial Assn., which sponsors the park’s annual celebration, this year honored former prisoners of war and those still missing in action.

“Every year we have a different theme. This year we thought it would be appropriate to honor POWs and those missing in action,” said Mary Elliot, association vice president

Sybil Bailey Stockdale of Palo Alto was the keynote speaker for the 50th annual service. She is the wife of James B. Stockdale, retired vice admiral who spent seven years as a POW in North Vietnam. Stockdale, who was shot down in 1965, was the highest ranking Navy officer held as a POW in Vietnam.

At another celebration, outside the county’s Hall of Administration in Santa Ana, servicewomen who died in war were remembered at a special wreath-laying ceremony attended by Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove), Supervisor Roger Stanton and about 500 citizens.

“We’re emphasizing the role of women in the military because they’ve been left out of mention,” said Hal Camp, one of the organizers of the annual American Veterans ceremony.

Stacey Fletcher, who joined the Women’s Air Corps in 1943 after her husband was killed during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, headed a group of former servicewomen present for the ceremony. She read a message by President Reagan proclaiming National Women Veterans Recognition Week.

In another ceremony, Supervisors Chairman Harriett M. Wieder was the keynote speaker for about 200 people who attended the 24th annual ceremonies at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress.