A SALUTE TO SOLDIERS : Memorial Day is still a time of pride, honor and grief for many Americans.

“Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance.” --John A. Logan, commander in chief, Grand Army of the Republic, May 5, 1868.

Legend has it that the tradition of Memorial Day began when Southern women who tended the graves of Confederate soldiers killed in the Civil War decided to decorate the tombs of Union soldiers whose bodies had been left behind.

But it was Cmdr. Logan’s order from Washington 125 years ago that marked the first formal commemoration of Memorial Day, when the countless graves of Confederate and Union soldiers seemed to lay “in almost every city, village and hamlet church yard in the land.”

The order designated May 30, 1868, as a day for the “strewing of flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.”

The remembrance became annual, at first dubbed Decoration Day and, later, Memorial Day. Today, it is celebrated as a national holiday on the last Monday in May. While for many, the holiday is now as much a time for picnics or shopping as for honoring fallen heroes, for war veterans, Memorial Day is still a day of pride, honor and grief.

“So many people these days have completely forgotten what Memorial Day is,” said Steve Espolt, a Vietnam veteran and chairman of Memorial Day services at Green Hills Memorial Park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. “Memorial Day is not just a day to run to the beach and get caught up with the yard work . . . It’s a day to remember the people who gave their lives to make this country the way it is.”

For Paul Gonzalez of Wilmington, who served a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam, Memorial Day is a “time to remember all the friends I had there (in Vietnam), the ones I don’t get to see much now and the ones I’ll never see again.”

For Gloria Bosco of Lomita, an administrative medic stationed in Tokyo during the Korean War, the day is a time to honor the boys from her high school graduating class, many of whom were killed in that conflict.

“It’s a day when people should put flowers down, remember, reflect,” Bosco said.

For Gloria’s husband, Edward J. Bosco, a veteran of World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, the losses are too many and too painful to mention. When asked to describe the significance of the holiday, his hearty voice chokes and he is unable to answer.

Services honoring soldiers who lost their lives during wartime will be held throughout the South Bay on Monday.

More than 3,000 people are expected to attend a 10 a.m. program at Green Hills Memorial Park, one of the largest Memorial Day ceremonies in the country, Espolt said.

The service honoring the 4,500 veterans buried at Green Hills will begin with sky-divers, who will fly the American flag down to the ceremony site at the black granite monument honoring Medal of Honor recipient Edward Devore Jr.

A 24-member color guard, guest speakers, patriotic songs and a 21-gun salute will fill out the program.

At the ceremony’s end, a California Army National Guard helicopter will circle above the crowd and then fly over the ocean to drop a wreath honoring soldiers lost at sea. Green Hills Memorial Park is at 27501 S. Western Ave.

Memorial Day services also will be held Monday at these locations:

HAWTHORNE

At the Hawthorne Memorial Center, 3901 W. El Segundo Blvd., at 10 a.m.; sponsored by the Hawthorne Veterans Council. Immediately following the ceremony, a free reception for the public will be held at Hawthorne VFW Post 2075, 4563 W. 131st St.

INGLEWOOD

On the mall at City Hall, 1 Manchester Blvd., at 11 a.m.; sponsored by the Inglewood Memorial Committee and city of Inglewood. After the ceremony, a free luncheon will be served at American Legion Post 188, 423 N. La Brea Ave.

LOMITA

At City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Ave., at 11 a.m.; sponsored by Lomita VFW Post 1622 and the Lomita Chamber of Commerce. After the service, a free luncheon will be served at the VFW post, 1865 Lomita Blvd.

REDONDO BEACH

At Pacific Crest Cemetery, northeast corner of 182nd Street and Inglewood Avenue, at 11 a.m.; sponsored by Rocky Versace Beach Cities VFW Post 2828, Sons of the American Legion Post 184, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 55 and others. The site of a picnic will be announced after the ceremony.

WILMINGTON

At Wilmington Historical Cemetery, 605 E. O St., at 11 a.m.; sponsored by Wilmington VFW Post 2967 and American Legion Post 287. After the ceremony, a free luncheon will be served at the VFW post, 1130 W. Anaheim St., Wilmington.

Other holiday events include a Memorial Day party beginning at 2 p.m. at the West End Health Club, 4343 Spencer St. in Torrance. The Singles Friendship Group will sponsor the day’s activities including lunch, tennis, dancing and swimming for fees of $8 to $10. Information: (310) 324-6072.