Countywide : Memorial Day Observances Planned

Several Memorial Day observances to honor fallen veterans are scheduled Monday throughout Orange County.

Services will be held at El Toro Memorial Park, Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach, Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, and Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress. In addition, Buena Park Elks will hold an observance at Bellis Park.

The program at the El Toro cemetery--the final resting place for almost 600 U.S. veterans and for many South County pioneers--will begin at 11 a.m. It will feature former county schools Supt. Robert D. Peterson, who served as a B-17 flying fortress commander during World War II. He was shot down over Austria in his 19th mission over Europe and was held as a prisoner of war for 18 months.

El Toro Memorial Park is at 25751 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest.

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the Forest Lawn observance, which will feature Capt. Harry E. Selfridge, commander of the Naval Surface Group in Long Beach, and Cypress Mayor Richard Partin. The program will be conducted on the forecourt of the memorial park’s Ascension Mosaic. Several veterans groups are expected to participate, and music will be provided by the Western High School Symphonic Band.

Forest Lawn is at 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress.

Newport Beach Mayor Clarence J. Turner will read a proclamation and deliver a speech at Pacific View’s 35th annual ceremony. It will begin at 11 a.m. at 3500 Pacific View Drive.

Brig. Gen. Milton Hunter, the commander of the South Pacific Division of Engineers, will address the 56th annual Fullerton Memorial Day observance at Loma Vista Memorial Park. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at 701 Bastanchury Road.

In Buena Park, the public is invited to attend a 10 a.m. ceremony at Bellis Park, held by Buena Park Elks, post 2046. The park is at 8th Street and Knott Avenue.

“The entire city is behind it,” said John Curry, the event’s chairman. said. “It’s like a hometown get-together.”

Last year, the event drew more than 400 people, he said.

The 13th annual event features a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m., sponsored by Buena Park Community Chorus. A $2.50 donation is requested.

The chorus will perform at the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Curry said, the Elks will host a free buffet and open house at their lodge, 7212 Melrose Ave.