PROPER SALUTE—Above, local Navy veteran and entertainer Jerry Foster gets into character during a magic show he put on for attendees at the fifth annual “A Salute to Arms” luncheon hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Monday. Veterans, active-duty military and their families were invited to enjoy the food and entertainment free of charge. At right, veteran Fred Lehmkuhl chows down along with a crowd of hundreds. Photos by IRIS SMOOT Acorn Newspapers To the masses, Memorial Day is about barbecues, beach balls and beer. It’s the unofficial kickoff to summer, a day off from work.

But to the veterans who served in wars past and the military putting their lives on the line today, the last Monday of May means much more.

“I think too many people consider Memorial Day picnics and Budweisers,” said Fred Lehmkuhl, a 61-year-old Army veteran who served in Korea during Vietnam.

Fellow Vietnam Army vet Don Rohkar and his wife, Rita, had similar feelings, saying Memorial Day is an opportunity to reflect on those who “paid the ultimate price.”

“It’s unfortunate that we’re not reminded to remember more often,” said Don, 63.

While Memorial Day is not about throwing a party, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints did just that, but with the goal of bringing together these veterans, as well as active duty personnel and their families, and honoring them for their service and sacrifice.

Held at the LDS stake on Sinaloa Road, the fifth annual “A Salute to Arms” drew hundreds to the building’s multipurpose room Monday afternoon, filling the long tables decorated in patriotic colors.

“You get people from 20 to 90 in this room, all heroes,” said event organizer Cherie Whitaker, her eyes welling with tears.

The gatherers chowed down on food provided by Simi Valley restaurants, won prizes donated by local businesses and were entertained by music, dancing and even a magic show put on by Navy veteran Jerry Foster, who served in Desert Storm.

Army Sgt. George Kalemkarian and his wife, Army Nurses Corps Lt. Bernice Kalemkarian, were honored as Veterans of the Year.

Mariana Heck, 29, attended the event with her husband, Ben, who is on active duty with the Army. The 31-year-old joined after 9/11 and was deployed to Iraq in 2005. Now he’s a recruiter, working in Simi for the past year and a half.

On a day that remembers those who gave their lives serving their country, Mariana said she’s grateful her husband returned from war.

“It’s a day of thankfulness,” she said. “I have my husband home safe. He comes home every night.”

With the Hecks at the event was their son, “little” Ben. Though he is just 3 years old, Mariana said, he does have some sense of what his father does and what Memorial Day means.

“Every time he sees the American flag, he says, ‘Daddy’s work,’” she said.

As a first-timer to A Salute to Arms, Ben Heck said he was impressed by the show of appreciation.

“This is really nice and the community here in Simi Valley is awesome,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of support for the military here in this community.”

Whitaker said that’s what the luncheon is all about.

“This is a way for us to show them they are appreciated . . . this was a chance for us to serve them as they served us,” she said.

Since starting in 2005, the event has doubled in size, from 225 people attending the first luncheon to about 500 this year. Whitaker said she believes the event has raised the community’s awareness about its local veterans, giving them the recognition they deserve.

Event volunteer and donor Scott Simpson, general manager of Simi HomeTown Buffet, said his view of veterans has expanded since becoming involved with A Salute to Arms.

“It made me realize that all of these veterans are sons, fathers, daughters, mothers,” he said. “They’ve given a lot, probably seen things we can’t imagine, and whatever you can do to help, it really matters.”

Whitaker said that while the event celebrates all who have served, she personally wanted the Vietnam veterans to know their sacrifice counted.

Jim Curry, a Vietnam veteran and senior vice commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049, said it’s nice to know the public cares, even all these years later.

“It kind of makes up for Vietnam— the welcomes that we didn’t receive,” he said.

Though the luncheon is supposed to be a thank-you to those who served, first-time attendee Tony Boucher—a 65-year-old Navy veteran who served two tours of duty on a destroyer in Vietnam—said he was thankful to the church.

“It makes you proud to be an American when people do this type of thing on Memorial Day,” he said.

Curry might have phrased the importance of the day most eloquently.

“It’s a chance to remember your comrades and friends,” said Curry, who served in the Army’s 101st Airborne, 1st Cavalry Division. “To honor their memory and show support for the families of those who didn’t return.

“And maybe a chance to forgive yourself for coming home when they didn’t,” the 59-yearold added, choking back tears.