Outlook Sunny and Crowded for Holiday Weekend

Jammed roadways, beaches and campgrounds Friday in Ventura County marked the beginning of a cool and sunny Memorial Day weekend, a holiday generally regarded as the kickoff of summer.

The California Highway Patrol started its “maximum enforcement period” about 6 p.m. Friday. Officials said that every available officer will be patrolling the county’s freeways for speeders and drunk drivers throughout the three-day weekend.

An onslaught of commuters and vacationers filled the Ventura and Ronald Reagan freeways Friday evening, but officers reported no major problems.

More than 300 Amtrak passengers traveling from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles County got a jolt Friday afternoon when their train slammed into an abandoned truck on the tracks near Moorpark.

“We felt a shock, and then the train lurched as the conductor put the emergency brake on, and then dust went flying,” said passenger Tulley Brown, 70, of La Crescenta.

Truck driver Michael Vang of Palmdale was heading home on eastbound California 118 when he failed to notice that several cars in front of him had stopped for the oncoming train near Hitch Road.

Vang slammed on his brakes, swerved and came to rest on the tracks. His welding company work truck stalled, so he got out and fled for his life, officers said. Vang, 39, was not hurt.

National Weather Service officials forecast low clouds and fog in the mornings but clear, sunny afternoons through Monday, with high temperatures expected in the low 70s--perfect weather for outdoor activities.

As usual, the county’s campgrounds filled at a record pace and by Wednesday, no beach spots for overnight campers were available, said Pam Gallo, operations supervisor for the county Parks Department.

Many Memorial Day commemorations will be held throughout the county to honor the nation’s veterans, as well as those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks.

“We recognize the sacrifices that not only the men and women in uniform have made, but those in public service who have answered the call in the defense of this nation in its current battle against terrorism,” said Navy Capt. Mark Swaney, who will speak at the annual memorial held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

Here is a list of some scheduled observances:

* Camarillo: Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Road. The service will begin at 11 a.m. and include a flag ceremony, firing detail, a tribute to Gold Star Mothers and a performance by the Air National Guard Brass Quintet.

* Fillmore: Bardsdale Cemetery, 1698 S. Sespe St. An 11 a.m. service will include performers and memorial addresses.

* Moorpark: Veterans Memorial, Moorpark and Los Angeles avenues. An 8 a.m. flag ceremony will be hosted by members of American Legion Post 502 and Boy Scouts Troop 604.

Poindexter Park, 500 Poindexter Ave. A 10 a.m. observance will include an address by Marine veteran Pete Duncan, who served during the Vietnam War.

* Oxnard: American Legion Post 48, 2639 Wagon Wheel Road. Activities will begin at 10:30 a.m. with speeches by Mayor Manuel Lopez and military personnel.

* Santa Paula: Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road. A 10:30 a.m. service will include a speech by C. Russell King, a Navy gunnery officer during World War II.

* Simi Valley: Simi Valley Public Cemetery, 1461 Thompson Lane. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049 will hold a 10 a.m. ceremony with a gun salute, speakers and placement of wreaths.

* Ventura: Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road. The ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. and will include a 21-gun salute and a flyover by the 805th Navion Squadron.

* Westlake Village: Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road. Proceedings begin at 10:30 a.m. with a program by the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, followed by a tribute to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.