Memorial Day

With clear skies and good surf, Memorial Day weekend saw droves of people flocking to Laguna Beach's waters, prompting lifeguards to make 78 rescues. Chief of Marine Safety Mark Klosterman said about 90,000 people visited the 5.5 miles of Laguna's beaches over the course of Saturday, Sunday and Monday, which was yellow- flagged much of time indicating less-than-docile waters. "Any nice weather leading up to a weekend and you're going 20,000 people on our beaches," Klosterman said.

The South Orange County Surfrider Chapter is inviting volunteers to test their favorite beach for bacteria this summer. Test results will be posted in local businesses throughout Laguna Beach, on Surfrider's website and in local newspapers. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. High school students will earn community service hours for participating in the program. Testing takes approximately 30 minutes once a week and will be conducted at 31973 S. Coast Highway, (the house on the south side of the stairs to Thousand Steps Beach)

It takes a village to put on the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade: from the all-volunteer committee that organizes it to the half of the town that marches — to the other half that watches. Ninety-one entries will participate in the 41st annual parade, set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday. The police department motorcycle escort will lead the parade from the Laguna Beach High School staging area, down Park Avenue to Glenneyre Street and then to Forest Avenue where the VIP reviewing stand and judges will be in front of City Hall.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE — Fiesta Days, this Memorial Day weekend, will be an opportunity to honor the men and women who have fought and died for this country, but it is also a time to celebrate life, organizers said.   "It's a time for family and friends as well as a time to honor the military," said Pat Anderson, executive director of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce, who has helped organize the event for the past three years. "We observe Memorial Day to remember the sacrifices our men and women have made in the military but it is also a time to celebrate life, and family, and togetherness."

MONTROSE — The Memorial Day service in front of the Vietnam War Memorial will go ahead as planned on Monday, but with some significant last-minute changes to the traditional program, organizers said.   Art Napiwocki, state budget chairman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, will not be officiating at the ceremony as he has done for the past 12 years. Instead he will be attending a service in La Cañada Flintridge.   Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, including himself, may still attend the Montrose service, Napiwocki said.

Memorial Day mingles pride and sadness as we remember the bravery and sacrifices made by American military forces over so many years. This is especially poignant in a time of war, as we watch men and women marching off to face combat in a far-off land and read daily about those who will never walk on American soil again. At the same time, the heroes of World War II who walk among us are dwindling in number as time takes its toll on those who came back victorious from a "good war."

Memorial Day is the traditional kickoff to summer, and there is plenty around town to do before the crowds start overflowing and the traffic backs up beyond reason. The Exchange Club's Annual Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast at Heisler Park is the highlight start to the season. For decades, locals have come out to watch the Laguna Beach Firefighters flippin' flapjacks. The event is sponsored by Las Brisas and the Jolly Roger. Proceeds from the Memorial Day Breakfast benefit the Exchange Club's Child Abuse Prevention Programs and local youth groups.

The Laguna Beach American Legion and VFW will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at Monument Point in Heisler Park. The keynote speaker will be Rep. John Campbell. In addition, the Marine firing detail from Camp Pendleton will provide a 21-gun salute. Music will be provided by Larry Wohrman of Diamond DJ's Entertainment Company, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The public is encouraged to come early, as seating is limited. For more information, call Richard Moore, (949)

BARBARA DIAMOND From flapjacks to flag waving for fallen heroes, Heisler Park is where Laguna celebrates Memorial Day. Assemblyman Todd Spitzer was the keynote speaker at the traditional ceremonies held at Monument Point on Monday, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. "I'd like to thank all of the veterans here," Spitzer said. "And I like to ask you to do something. Look at your hands. At one point in your life, the fate of the world rested in your hands.

Suzie Harrison Last year the community was in mourning after Max Sadler and Mark Tiner were killed in a car accident in Dana Point over Memorial Day weekend. This year, students gathered to remember the two lives that were cut short. Quietly, hundreds of Laguna Beach High School students filed into the north gym to commemorate their friends' on May 27, one year after the accident. Seated on the floor in complete silence, they watched a student-produced film -- a montage of moments that captured Max and Mark enjoying life and their passions.