Arleta : 21-Gun Salute Set at Flag Memorial

They were just a couple of old veterans, living out their lives with aches, pains, a few laughs and good companionship.

But since Oct. 23, 1983, the day a suicide bomber crashed into a Marine barracks in Beirut slaughtering 241 servicemen and women, Joe Crowley and William Knuth have been on a mission of remembrance, patriotism and peace.

In establishing a special memorial--in their own front yard--to those killed in Beirut on that day, Korean War veteran Knuth, 59, and Crowley, 72, a World War II vet, hoped to get passersby to consider the men and women who defended their country to the death.

It was just a few flags at first. But Crowley and Knuth, who have been roommates for 20 years, received more flags each year from neighbors, friends or others who noticed and wanted to support the humble memorial. In 1984, then-Mayor Tom Bradley declared the site an official city war memorial, named the “U.S. Veterans Remembrance Memorial.”

Now, flags come in from all over the country. Twelve came in from the U.S. Congress--American flags that had been flown over the Capitol. Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) sent a flag from Sacramento. There are flags to remember the missing in action and American prisoners of war.

This year, at least 21 flags--including one sent by Mayor Richard Riordan--will be raised in the front yard, beginning at dawn Saturday. They’ll remain raised all day Sunday. On Monday, at 11 a.m., the Veterans Burial Squad of the San Fernando Valley will conduct a 21-gun salute, followed by a taps ceremony.

“We’d like the whole world to come,” Crowley said.

The memorial is at 13645 Osborne St.