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.”
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