Countywide : Memorials Planned to Honor Veterans

Organizations across Ventura County are planning speeches and ceremonies to honor veterans for Memorial Day on Monday.

At 9:30 a.m. at Piru Cemetery, Ventura County Supervisor Maggie Erickson Kildee will be the featured speaker in a ceremony that will include a brief gun salute, Taps and a wreath memorializing unknown dead soldiers.

At 10 a.m. at the Simi Valley Cemetery, retired Marine Corps Col. Greg Marshall will give an address memorializing all soldiers who have served in wars, including Desert Storm veterans. The ceremony will include a color guard march by members of the Simi Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049 and the Marine Corps League.

Officials expected to attend the ceremony include Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), Supervisor Vicky Howard and Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton. Simi Valley Cub Scouts will place 300 crosses and flags on the graves of veterans buried in the cemetery.

At 10 a.m. at Pierce Brothers-Valley Oaks Memorial Park & Mortuary, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village, Marine Corps Col. Peter G. Jacobs will be the featured speaker in a Memorial Day service.

Organizers describe Jacobs as a “dynamic speaker” and a decorated pilot who flew in 100 combat missions in Vietnam.

His speech will have a patriotic theme, organizers said. The cemetery will be decorated in flags and flowers for the occasion.

The Ventura VFW Post 1679 will put up 600 American flags at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, where Supervisor John K. Flynn will be the featured speaker at an 11 a.m. ceremony.