Joy, Caution at End of Hostilities : Reaction: As President announces suspension of war, those at home respond with jubilation and relief. But some are unsure Saddam Hussein can be trusted.

Local veterans of other wars cheered wildly and family and friends of soldiers in the Mideast wept tears of joy Wednesday night as President Bush announced the suspension of hostilities in the Persian Gulf.

“We were jubilant,” said James Page, a 72-year-old veteran of World War II and commander of the Burbank American Legion post, where about 60 veterans had gathered to hear the speech.

“What else could you ask for--that it ended this quick?”

Page said the post had about twice the usual contingent of veterans on hand because of excitement over the war’s imminent end. “They all knew it was getting close,” the former bomber pilot said. “They all came down to be together and celebrate if it did.”

At Santa Rosa Catholic Church in San Fernando, where pictures of the more than 100 parishioners serving in the Persian Gulf were pasted to a black poster board affixed to a large cross, Father Simon Gagnon began a 7 p.m. youth Mass by announcing that the war was over.

A few people applauded and then sang a song, “Lord Have Mercy on Us.”

During his sermon, Gagnon said he saw pictures on TV of Kuwaitis dancing in the streets.

“But the soldiers also are dancing in the street. . . . We hope that this will turn out to be the end, the real end,” he said.

Maria Nunez of San Fernando had come to the church to pray for her son, Alejandro Nunez Ramos, 21, who is with the Marines in Saudi Arabia. “Since the war began, I’ve been coming here to Mass to receive the Eucharist and to pray for the liberation of Kuwait and the safe return of my son,” she said.

Nunez said she felt relieved “but I’m a little concerned because I haven’t heard from my son. The last letter I received from him was sent Feb. 11. I received it last Thursday.”

Guillermina Flores also prayed for her son, Octavio Silva Rocha, 20, who’s in the Army.

News that the war had ended “made me very happy, but I’m still not satisfied,” Flores said. “I’m not very confident that it’s over because Hussein is such a traitor.”

Wanda Melendez, 21, was home with her family in Santa Clarita when she heard the news. “I went upstairs and started crying,” said Melendez. Her boyfriend, Carlos Sandino, also 21, is a Marine reservist from Sylmar who is in Saudi Arabia. “I’m so excited. I’m still in shock. So, many prayers have been answered,” she said.

At her house in San Fernando, Olivia Sosa also thanked God that her soldier husband, Christopher, who’s been in Saudi Arabia since August, will soon be coming home.

“Everyone in America has been praying for this,” she said. “I’m so relieved. Since the war started, I quit my job. I was so stressed.”

Her husband celebrates his 23rd birthday today. “This is always going to be one birthday we’ll never forget,” she said.

At the American Legion post in San Fernando, veterans shouted for joy when they heard the news that a cease-fire was at hand, said Joe Martinez, a World War II Army veteran. But the announcement was tempered by suspicions that Saddam Hussein might use the halt in fighting to regroup and strike back.

“They ought to do something about Saddam,” Martinez said. “They shouldn’t let him get away with anything. He’s done a lot of damage.”

Martinez said the news had special meaning for him because his nephew, 26-year-old Paul Nunez of Pacoima, is with the Marines in Saudi Arabia.

Times staff writer John Rivera contributed to this report.