Memorial Day aboard USS Iowa: Bernie Kopell shares his story

SAN PEDRO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A special Memorial Day ceremony is taking place Monday at the Port of Los Angeles aboard the USS Iowa, where actor Bernie Kopell served the country years ago.

Kopell is known for his roles in "Get Smart" and "The Love Boat." But what many don't know is that he served aboard the USS Iowa from 1956 to 1957.

"It's a very emotional day for me coming back on this ship that took me, began my love affair with the sea. It took me all over the world," Kopell said.

Kopell wanted to emphasize the importance of honoring veterans.

"Veterans are the saints among us. Veterans are the most amazing people and we've got to do everything to help them, to love them, to spread some cheer, because some of these guys are coming back with horrendous wounds, and we must never forget our veterans," Kopell said.

Battleship Iowa is steeped in history. It's the ship that took President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to the Tehran Conference with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. The ship was also in Tokyo Bay when Japan signed the surrender documents, which were signed aboard the USS Missouri, USS Iowa's sister ship.

To learn more about Monday's Memorial Day events aboard the USS Iowa, visit www.pacificbattleship.com.

Watch Carlos Granda's report on Eyewitness News at 11 a.m. above.