House on Military Avenue - 1938 House on Military Avenue - 2010 with
Ray and his Saturn Sky, 5-24-2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Turning Back the Clock - Part Four
Alumni Weekend was over for most of the Class of 1957 and for the many other classes as far back as 1937 with a sprinkling of 1944, 1948 and many others. The class of 1960 had more alumni show up but understandably it was their 50th Anniversary.
To all my classmates, this was personally a joy for me to see you again. Tony, great to see you and your "new" bride. Orley, we just did not get much chance to talk. Ron, you really looked healthy and had not aged much. George Null, I wish I had more time to talk. To all of you my classmates, the time was too short but I am thankful we had some time to share and remember.
There was one last thing on the agenda before leaving. Ray and I arranged for a final get together at the 94th Aero Squadron for dinner on Sunday night. This is a restaurant located at Montgomery Field, in San Diego with the decor of the "dough boys" and pilots of World War One. A fitting place for a last dinner for the "brothers". The brothers were a group of cadets that kind of buddied around together and on weekends when we could have gone home, we were just as likely to be all together in another town hosted by one of the "Moms". Being in the "brotherhood" was a special kind of bond which stood the test of time. The brotherhood consisted of Fred Sweet, '58; Jim Christian , '55; Buck Buchanan, Doug Loukota and myself from the class of 1957. There were a couple of others including Bill Camp and Gordon Yaekel who were no longer with us. We gathered at the dinner table and made a toast to our group. I am thankful to call these guys my brothers and I manage to correspond with them on a regular basis after all these years. We all said goodbye with our hugs, wondering what the future would bring. I have a feeling that we will find a way to get together again.
When I started writing about this trip, I titled it Turning Back the Clock because of the obvious story to be told. There was one more event before "returning to present day". In all the planning leading up to this trip, I had several conversations with Ray about the house I was born and raised in located in Los Angeles. The house was built in 1938, the year of my birth and I lived there until graduation from Army Navy Academy and my departing for a career in the Navy. My parents sold the house in 1975. Ray graciously agreed to take me there after leaving Carlsbad for one last look at the one remaining memory of my childhood.
I had not been there since 1961 and of course there had been many changes in the growth of the community. Back then, there was no interstate just three blocks away, but here we were taking the National Blvd exit off of the "405" and two blocks later turning left on the street I remembered so well. There was no problem finding the house. How could I ever forget it. I had brought along a couple of pictures taken back when the house was built along with a photo
of my Mother, Father and I sitting on the front porch with a cake celebrating my first birthday.
As we pulled up to the curb, a young man in his late 20's or early 30's came out of the house to get in his car. He asked if we had broke down or needed help. I said no, and walked up to introduce myself. I showed him the pictures and why I was there. His first words were "Oh my God!" To have taken him by surprise would have been an understatement for sure. He offered us a look around the outside of the house and said he was just a renter. The house was obviously not in the condition of 50 years ago but the pool in the backyard and guest room beyond the pool that I had helped my Dad build was still there. We did not spend a lot of time there but enough to bring back the great memories for one last time.
To all my classmates, this was personally a joy for me to see you again. Tony, great to see you and your "new" bride. Orley, we just did not get much chance to talk. Ron, you really looked healthy and had not aged much. George Null, I wish I had more time to talk. To all of you my classmates, the time was too short but I am thankful we had some time to share and remember.
There was one last thing on the agenda before leaving. Ray and I arranged for a final get together at the 94th Aero Squadron for dinner on Sunday night. This is a restaurant located at Montgomery Field, in San Diego with the decor of the "dough boys" and pilots of World War One. A fitting place for a last dinner for the "brothers". The brothers were a group of cadets that kind of buddied around together and on weekends when we could have gone home, we were just as likely to be all together in another town hosted by one of the "Moms". Being in the "brotherhood" was a special kind of bond which stood the test of time. The brotherhood consisted of Fred Sweet, '58; Jim Christian , '55; Buck Buchanan, Doug Loukota and myself from the class of 1957. There were a couple of others including Bill Camp and Gordon Yaekel who were no longer with us. We gathered at the dinner table and made a toast to our group. I am thankful to call these guys my brothers and I manage to correspond with them on a regular basis after all these years. We all said goodbye with our hugs, wondering what the future would bring. I have a feeling that we will find a way to get together again.
When I started writing about this trip, I titled it Turning Back the Clock because of the obvious story to be told. There was one more event before "returning to present day". In all the planning leading up to this trip, I had several conversations with Ray about the house I was born and raised in located in Los Angeles. The house was built in 1938, the year of my birth and I lived there until graduation from Army Navy Academy and my departing for a career in the Navy. My parents sold the house in 1975. Ray graciously agreed to take me there after leaving Carlsbad for one last look at the one remaining memory of my childhood.
I had not been there since 1961 and of course there had been many changes in the growth of the community. Back then, there was no interstate just three blocks away, but here we were taking the National Blvd exit off of the "405" and two blocks later turning left on the street I remembered so well. There was no problem finding the house. How could I ever forget it. I had brought along a couple of pictures taken back when the house was built along with a photo
of my Mother, Father and I sitting on the front porch with a cake celebrating my first birthday.
As we pulled up to the curb, a young man in his late 20's or early 30's came out of the house to get in his car. He asked if we had broke down or needed help. I said no, and walked up to introduce myself. I showed him the pictures and why I was there. His first words were "Oh my God!" To have taken him by surprise would have been an understatement for sure. He offered us a look around the outside of the house and said he was just a renter. The house was obviously not in the condition of 50 years ago but the pool in the backyard and guest room beyond the pool that I had helped my Dad build was still there. We did not spend a lot of time there but enough to bring back the great memories for one last time.
Turning Back the Clock - Part Three
On Saturday night the Black and Gold Banquet was held at one of the larger hotels in the area.
This was an opportunity to bring together all the alumni, wives and guests in a social gathering. Cocktail hour was followed by a nice dinner and dancing. After a long day at Registration and a bit of a sunburn, I was ready to call it a night fairly early.
On Sunday we met for the morning brunch which was driven in doors by the weather. Maybe just a bit of unknown fate because many of us from our class had spent a few semesters working in the dining hall at the Academy during our cadet years to help off set the cost to our parents. So here we were one more time returning to the mess hall. However the brunch did not offer any SOS as we used to call Cream Chipped Beef on Toast. It was a pleasant surprise to see my old classmate Jack O'Brien show up. The last time I had seen him was not expected but during a deployment to Viet Nam, Jack was a Lieutenant Commander, U. S. Navy attached to a squadron on board the USS Ranger. We had a couple of nice memories to share at the time. He left the active service and maintained his reserve status retiring as a Captain. He went on to fly for Delta Airlines for 31 years. Now some forty years later, he was was sitting with us at the table having breakfast.
Shortly after the brunch came the Sunday parade of the cadets. How well we all remembered this event in our own cadet history. Cadets in full dress parading before special guests, parents and dignitaries. Only this time, we were the special guests as alumni to stand on the front line of the parade grounds as the Cadet Battalion passed in review honoring us. It was our final gathering of the weekend and we had great memories to take home.
Turning Back the Clock - Part Two
Carlsbad had definitely changed in 53 years. I remember only one main street in town and ANA was most prominent as one passed through ending south. Now, I could easily become lost. The town had grown. No longer a couple of hotels, a couple of restaurants...this had become a major tourist area with many shops and places to stay and eat. thanks in part to the influence of the game of golf, and the world famous La Costa Resort and Spa and the Four Seasons Resort. Ray and I checked into our small motel and I made a call to one of our classmates to let them know we arrived. We arranged to meet for dinner at a local restaurant in a couple of hours.
That dinner will be remembered for renewing the personal friendships that had waited so many years to come together face to face. I wondered if my "brothers" thought about me the way the same as I about them. The years had worked their magic on our bodies and weathered faces. Nevertheless, in their hearts, the energy and ethusiasm of true friendship was still there if indeed a little bit slower of a pace. It was a great start to a great weekend.
Friday morning the much anticipated Alumni Golf tournament was held. I will not dwell on this very disappointing performance. My teammates, Bill Rafferty, Byron Taylor and Jack Jackson, all from the Class of 1955 must have thought I really put one over on them in selling my golf skills. Truth of the matter was that I forgot everything I thought I knew about the game. I did realized much much later than I never kept my head down to watch the silly little ball. I will blame it on too much anticipation and being tired from a long trip. I apologize to my teammates although it would not matter. They played really well. Part of our problem as I look back was the fact that this very long playing course was tough on us. We as a team (I was the youngest at nearly 72 years of age) were required to play off the Blue Tees (all the way back) the same as the young bulls of the past three or four graduating classes who were all in the 20's. Just did not seem fair.
Friday evening a no host "Margaritas and Memories" Reception and Mexican food buffet was set up on the athletic field and for the first time, most of us were able to see all of our former classmates and other friends who had made the journey for this reunion. I was very proud that the Class of 1957 had the second highest total of returning alumni with I believe twelve former classmates by Sunday. There was even a young man from the Class of 1937...wow!! Can't even begin to tell you how great it was to see my classmates again.
Saturday morning I met with Jack Jackson in front of the Administration building where the representative from the school and alumni office were registering alumni and friends as they showed up. I had volunteered to be on hand to present and discuss the proposal for a ANA Veterans Memorial plaque to honor those alumni who had gave their lives in the service of their country during the 100 years of the Academy's existence. It was also an opportunity to meet and greet many others. One person in particular stood out. Kati Polhamus was the daughter of Captain Al Polhamus, my mentor and Band Director at the Academy during my years as a Cadet. I owed my career as a Musician in the United States Navy to the fact that "Capt Al" arranged for an audition with the Chief Musician at the Naval Training Center in San Diego in 1961 to become a Navy Musician instead of getting out after four years.
That dinner will be remembered for renewing the personal friendships that had waited so many years to come together face to face. I wondered if my "brothers" thought about me the way the same as I about them. The years had worked their magic on our bodies and weathered faces. Nevertheless, in their hearts, the energy and ethusiasm of true friendship was still there if indeed a little bit slower of a pace. It was a great start to a great weekend.
Friday morning the much anticipated Alumni Golf tournament was held. I will not dwell on this very disappointing performance. My teammates, Bill Rafferty, Byron Taylor and Jack Jackson, all from the Class of 1955 must have thought I really put one over on them in selling my golf skills. Truth of the matter was that I forgot everything I thought I knew about the game. I did realized much much later than I never kept my head down to watch the silly little ball. I will blame it on too much anticipation and being tired from a long trip. I apologize to my teammates although it would not matter. They played really well. Part of our problem as I look back was the fact that this very long playing course was tough on us. We as a team (I was the youngest at nearly 72 years of age) were required to play off the Blue Tees (all the way back) the same as the young bulls of the past three or four graduating classes who were all in the 20's. Just did not seem fair.
Friday evening a no host "Margaritas and Memories" Reception and Mexican food buffet was set up on the athletic field and for the first time, most of us were able to see all of our former classmates and other friends who had made the journey for this reunion. I was very proud that the Class of 1957 had the second highest total of returning alumni with I believe twelve former classmates by Sunday. There was even a young man from the Class of 1937...wow!! Can't even begin to tell you how great it was to see my classmates again.
Saturday morning I met with Jack Jackson in front of the Administration building where the representative from the school and alumni office were registering alumni and friends as they showed up. I had volunteered to be on hand to present and discuss the proposal for a ANA Veterans Memorial plaque to honor those alumni who had gave their lives in the service of their country during the 100 years of the Academy's existence. It was also an opportunity to meet and greet many others. One person in particular stood out. Kati Polhamus was the daughter of Captain Al Polhamus, my mentor and Band Director at the Academy during my years as a Cadet. I owed my career as a Musician in the United States Navy to the fact that "Capt Al" arranged for an audition with the Chief Musician at the Naval Training Center in San Diego in 1961 to become a Navy Musician instead of getting out after four years.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Turning Back the Clock - Part One
It is Thursday morning, May 20, 2010 and I have just took off on a flight to Los Angeles, California. A lot of things going through my mind. I am going back to the west coast and to a place that is dear to my heart. Fifty-three years ago I graduated from a private military high school, called Army Navy Academy. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and this is truly an experience that I thought I may never have again. After graduating from ANA in June of 1957 I joined the Navy and with the exception of one trip to Carlsbad after I retired in 1977 this was the first time back.
There had been an alumni gathering at our 50th anniversary in 2007 but I could not make it. I wanted to but financially could not afford the long trip. I had spent most of the past fifty odd years stationed wherever the Navy wanted me and after retirement found myself staying on the east coast because of job opportunities at the time. Now those dreams of returning one more time had finally come to pass. Anticipation was high while the trip was very long. Six hours in a modern day jet is still a bit tiring when your nearly 72 years of age. I wondered what my fellow classmates would look like after all these years. I had only my yearbook to remember back and I was bringing it with me. My classmate and roommate, Ray, was waiting for me at the terminal and even then I did not recognize him. He and I had kept in touch and I did have a group photo from the 50th reunion to help we out. Ray had volunteered to meet me at the airport and we arranged to split expenses while in Carlsbad for the weekend. I am so grateful to him for assistance because I sure would have got lost. I must confess, he was waiting at baggage pickup and I did not recognize him at first. It really was one of those double takes. I looked around, saw him, looked around some more, looked back and then thought well maybe. I walked over to him and said "excuse me, are you Ray Hymer? Of which he returned "only if your middle name is Walter". A moment I will never forget.
Driving out of LA was an experience in itself. The new interstates built in the past fifty years helped a lot. But I noticed a lot of changes. All the way down I-5 it was nothing but wall to wall buildings and homes until we reached San Clemente. It would have continued to the border if it had not been for the federal government lands which contain the very large United States Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton. The other thing which was quite apparent was the hispanic influence in the Southern California area. Every exit was marked with a sign that stated that is was Avenida this or Avenida that. This was true all the way to San Diego. It was not a long drive. We covered the distance in about 90 minutes. Back in the old days it was easily about 3 hours on the crowded city streets of Los Angeles and a two lane Coast Highway. We got off at the Oceanside exit and he drove me down to what used to be the "main drag" through town. Again, I was amazed how everything had built up. As we crossed the lagoon into Carlsbad, one thing stood out...the campus of ANA. There was the old guardhouse and the walkway up to the Administration building. The clock had turned back to June 1957.
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