Tales and tribulations of days gone past

Don Cantrell

Out of World War II, two of the biggest days that sparked energized

good cheer was Victory in Europe (VE Day) and Victory over Japan (VJ

Day). After almost four years, war-weary people were ready for a

sensational celebration.

No one knew that better than Pilot Sports Hall of Famer Carleton Mears

who sensed that he had the unquestionable power in spring of ’45 to act

as president of the Newport Elementary School and make things right for

the student body.

To him, the end of the war in Europe definitely meant all the kids

deserved the day off to celebrate.

Hence, he wasted little time extending words to all the kids to bolt

their classes and head for the beach.

While he may have thought that the story would disappear over the years,

he was a bit astonished at the last Class of ’49 reunion at the Balboa

Pavilion to find mate Don Jones addressing the crowd and repeating the

famous story.

Mears would have a price to pay later when principal Horace Ensign harked

him into his office the next morning. He was quickly swept out of his

student office.

He failed to understand what the school teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria

workers and janitors would do the rest of that day. His classmates still

draw smiles and laughs out of the rare event.

However, it makes good sense in looking back, especially to the young at

heart.

Another Pilot Hall of Famer, Rollo McClellan, Class of ‘38, always

enjoyed the humor that followed him all the way through school days.

One that still stands out was a Costa Mesa Elementary School episode on

the playground one day.

McClellan was often irritated by a new kid in school named Glenn O.

Thompson, who developed a habit while playground football was underway of

creating constant tension.

It was readily apparent that the new kid didn’t like McClellan, but he

never knew why for a long time. Hence, he chose a shocking way to end the

nonsense by leaping on his back when he had the ball and ripping his

shirt time and again.

And when Thompson found that McClellan as faster and would outrun him in

track, he changed his attitude. McClellan laughs over the reason Thompson

turned on him. It was jealousy. McClellan had a pet pony and he didn’t.

The outcome found the two fellows becoming life-long friends in sports

and social life. Thompson also became a rear admiral in the Coast Guard

years later.

A rare and special event has been mapped out by the Class of ’45 -- a

55-year reunion and it has been scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept.

21 at the Balboa Bay Club’s Governor’s Room.

The main attraction will be a superb luncheon, but the price of the event

will include, if desired, guest rooms for out-of-town visitors.

Jim Douglas, class president, is prepared to answer any questions from

classmates at (949) 240-0372 or writing to 3244 Paseo Gallita, San

Clemente, CA 92672.

Douglas, a tackle on the ’44 football team and an old back alley

basketball buddy of NBA Hall of Famer George Yardley, has released his

tribute to classmates of ’45 who have passed on.

The list includes Don Vaughn, Harold Van de Walker, Merlin Gage, Dorothy

Dodd, Virgie Dubois, Bob Dunlap, Bob Henley, Genevive Holbrook, William

Kauffeld, Evelyn Rea, Betty Wright, William Pollard, Darrell Turner,

Majorie Jones, Jean Alexander, Wally Belau, Ruth Miyada, Bob Stanley,

Duane Thornton and Norma Tripp.

Douglas said the class is still looking for Dent Robinson, a fine varsity

gridder and basketballer during his time. The last word was that he had

joined the Merchant Marines.

Ralph Freitag, Class of ’46 and a Pilot Hall of Famer, once laughed over

grid teammate Jim Douglas who used to buy and sell used autos.

“There was a service station in Balboa that sold used cars and it was

owned by the cheapest and most scurrilous man we knew,” Freitag said.

“Jim sold this guy a fine looking car. The fellow drove it around the

block and quite thoroughly checked it out. As we were going back on the

ferry, Jim told us that there was just one little thing wrong with the

car. It had no reverse gear.”