Vet to give Memorial Day speech

Donald M. Bishop, a veteran of a 27-year career in the Foreign Service, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Memorial Day Service at 11 a.m. Mon., May 28 at the Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks- Griffin Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village.

The Simi Valley High School Band will play a concert starting at 10:30 a.m.

Bishop was an Air Force officer who served in Vietnam and Korea, then taught history at the Air Force Academy for seven years. He then started his career in diplomatic service, serving in Asia and Africa. He is the foreign policy adviser to the commandant of the Marine Corps.

Patients from the Veterans Hospital will be the special guests of honor. The Condor Squadron will fly the "missing man formation" as a tribute. Boy Scouts will place American flags at more than 1,400 graves in the Garden of Valor.

The Chancel Choir of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Thousand Oaks and the Valleyaires will both present musical tributes.

The Young Marines of Ventura County will stage famous war statues to memorialize key events in American history.

The Conejo-Simi Valley Chapter of the Military Officers of America will conduct the ceremony, joined by other service organizations.

Guests are advised to arrive early to the site to allow adequate time for parking. For more information, call Maj. Hal Geer at (805) 522-0846.