Stories by Alumnus
Attention on Deck!
We want stories and OHS memories and adventures for this page!
Please email your memories and adventures to stories@ohsfoundation.org
Table of Contents:
| Title | Author | Class | Title | Author | Class |
| Enduring Symbols | Dan Sherrill | 1962 | O'side 100 year Celebration | Bob Selby | 1960 |
| Manuel O Morales | Manuel F. Morales | 1961 | Panel 22E, Line 103 | Dan Sherrill | 1962 |
| Memories of Growing Up in Oceanside | Frank Elston | 1941 | Pirate's Den | Glenda Bedwell Kimbrel | 1968 |
| Mike Merritt's Death | Bruce Veteto | Small Town, OHS | Zoe de Crevecoeur Erickson | 1968 | |
| Oceanside in the Vietnam War | Dan Sherrill | 1962 | Terry Cross, Spotlight on a Pirate and a Native Son | Tom Adams | 1970 |
| OHS Alumni in Iraq | Michael Aguirre | 1978 | Then and Now | Dan Sherrill | 1962 |
| OHS Alumni Life Adventure | Debbie Martinez Scott | 1981 | Tony Zale | Dan Sherrill | 1962 |
| OHS Honors to Include Aviatrix | Tom Morrow | Year Books, Tattered and Torn | Jim Peterson | 1966 | |
| OHS is Truly Blessed | Arthur Hemmingway | 1978 |
We have 2 pages of stories now. This is great! Just click on the title above and go directly to that story.
Pirate's Den, submited by Glenda (Bedwell) Kimbrel, Class of 1968, February 25, 2010.
Hi Pirates, Here's the photos of
my parent's Pirate's Den in the late 40's. It got torn down when I 5 went in.
It sat where the OHS
baseball field and I5 meet. My parents named it Pirate's Den because of their
love for OHS. Said the kids would come by after
school, eat and meet their friends. Wish they still had the 45 cent "burger in
a basket"...my mom claims, my dad invented that!!??
Terry
Cross
Spotlight on a Pirate, and a Native
Son, By Tom Adams as told to Sancho Vega Cortez and Charlotte
Jones, submitted August 18, 2009
Terry Cross was born and raised in Oceanside, California in 1952 and has never left. He refers to himself as “the last of the old-time locals”. Very attentive parents, devoting their time to raising Terry and his two brothers, marked his childhood. Steeped in religion, he attended the Church Of Christ 3 times a week, leading church hymns and giving mini-sermons. His father also taught him the ins and outs of hunting and fishing, and he absorbed all he could learn.
But fishing, especially surf fishing was his passion. Many a day you could find him at Buccaneer Beach surf fishing.
During Terry’s senior year at Oceanside High School, two life-changing events happened. In December of ’69, Terry married his girlfriend, Sue McWha. Being a minor, Terry had to appear in court before a judge for permission to be married. They had a shotgun style wedding and in May of 1970, their first child was born. A month later, he graduated from high school.
While a junior at OHS, Terry began working for Sue’s parents, owners of Harbor Fish Market. Doug and Sally McWha opened the fish market in 1967. Previously, Doug was a commercial fisherman, alongside Richard Helgren. Doug was one of the few that carried a 6 passenger, “Around the World” license. Doug then became a commercial fisherman to support their new business at the fish market in Oceanside Harbor Village.
While working at the fish market, Terry really thrived! He just loved the work, and being down on the waterfront, and getting to know all of the unique characters commercial fishing out of Oceanside Harbor. He learned to process all of the many species of fish that came through the delivery door. In its heyday, the McWha’s owned the Harbor Fish Market and three commercial fishing boats.
It was during this time at the fish market that Terry credits his mother-in-law, Sally McWha, with teaching him to be a man; to become responsible and tow the line; to quit being a young punk and get on with the program of life.
Doug and Sally had three children, Diane, Sue, and Carl. All three had their part helping out in the business. Carl, Diane’s husband Bill Miyagawa, and Sue’s husband Terry Cross commercial fished to supply the growing business.
When Doug became ill, it was necessary for Terry to pick up the slack and run one of the fishing boats. At the ripe old age of twenty, Terry became Captain of a fishing boat. According to Terry,” operating a commercial fishing vessel alone, without a deckhand, taught me the concept of believing in myself. When you get yourself out on the ocean, you’ve got to get yourself back in one piece, not to mention catch a lot of fish and make a living.” He also takes pride in never being towed in and whenever he had a problem at sea, he was able to invent a way to fix it and get back in alone.
While business was growing, Sally McWha realized that the fish market alone wasn’t enough to support the entire family. She came up with the idea of selling fish and chips, since there is a higher markup and profit on prepared food versus fresh fish. After several attempts at mastering the recipes, Sally put out her first order on July 3, 1969. Hickory Farms rented a suite in the village near the fish market, and moved to the new Plaza Camino Real in 1972. With demand for Sally’s fish and chips growing, they moved into the old Hickory Farms suite, and remain there to this day. When Hickory Farms moved, they left behind one of their wooden, walk-in refrigerators. That wood refrigerator is one of the mainstays of the business till 2008! They certainly don’t make equipment like that anymore!
In 1971 the menu consisted of only a few items: fish & chips .79 cents, shrimp & chips $1.95 and a side order of fries for .35 cents. Shrimp cocktails and oysters were also available. A plain and simple menu, but it was very satisfying to the pallet.
But then, in 1975, tragedy struck the family. Sally passed away and the children collectively took on the responsibilities to carry on her tradition. Bill & Diane, Terry & Sue, and Carl bought out Doug McWha in 1978.
Sally was one of the founders / organizers of Oceanside’s Harbor Days. After Sally’s passing, Sue realized how Harbor Days was a wonderful way to introduce the public to the harbor and promote the various merchants and their businesses. Because of her strong desire and others who felt the same way, Harbor Days thrives today. All should give thanks to these two incredible women for all they have given. Everyone who visits the harbor should enjoy a “piece of paradise” as the McWha family envisioned in 1967.
Carl and Terry opened a second fish and chips restaurant on Carlsbad Blvd. in Carlsbad in 1980.
While operating three business’ Terry and Sue purchased Harbor Fish and Chips from Carl in 1982. With two young girls, Mona and Sheri, to work with mom and dad, the Cross Family continued the tradition. Mona and Sheri have both worked at the business through the years. Tragedy struck again as Sue contracted cancer and passed away in 1986. Says Terry,” we had a wonderful life together and I think about her often and still miss her.” Since then, Terry has operated the business solely on his own. Both Terry and Carl have made their business a desired destination for locals and tourist alike.
Before Sue’s passing, and with fishing regulations becoming stricter, Terry realized his commercial fishing days were about over and sold his boat. This finally freed him from the burden of having to support a fishing boat and a restaurant. He says, “it really was a Cinderella story and the glass boot fit my foot.”
Forty years later, Terry Cross’ Harbor Fish and Chips continues to draw a crowd, serving English style fish and chips to thousands of visitors to Oceanside Harbor. Terry has acquired several honors for his business which include: 50 people to watch, in 2005, Coastal Living Magazine’s best seafood dive on the west coast, in 2006, and recently an up close and personal article in The Ocean Magazine’s June / July 2009 issue. Terry certainly does his part in giving back to the community. Rather than purchase ads in local advertising, he prefers the more personable, friendly approach to help promote others and their functions, by giving gift certificates at an amount close to $25,000 per year to the community. This includes schools, military, churches, local groups, and all of the city’s events.
The restaurant has employed a number of Oceanside residents. Of Terry’s many fond memories of interviewing students for employment, one in particular comes to mind. Lori Wagner, Coach Bill Wagner’s daughter. Coach Wagner attended the interview with his daughter. Coach Wagner shared in the answering and explaining situations for his daughter. Terry sternly but politely had to ask Coach Wagner to sit across the room for the remainder of the interview. Expressing to Coach Wagner, “ I am interviewing your daughter not you.” From that day forward, parents are not allowed to sit in on the interviews.
Reflecting back on Sally’s desires to run a family business with high standards, consistent quality, not altering her now famous tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and coleslaw dressing. “Fresh is best they say, and that is how we make it”
Terry has made minor changes to the restaurant by adding more menu items and opening up his beer & wine garden in 2000. Harbor Fish and Chips is currently posted on 72 websites and is number one in Germany’s websites for U.S. seafood restaurants. Even the English are jealous of this gem in the harbor.
Terry’s heart driven goal is to continue making Harbor Fish & Chips a desired destination for all to experience. And thanks to a loyal local following, along with thousands of tourist’s and visitors who share their experience with others, Terry Cross’ Harbor Fish and Chips is enjoying its 40th anniversary! If you have never experienced the food and the ambiance of Harbor Fish and Chips, now is the perfect time to make your maiden voyage and see what the rest of us have known and have been enjoying!
Thank you Terry!
OHS Honors to Include Aviatrix, Tom Morrow, North County Times, published October 14, 2007.
Every high school can point to at least a handful of its graduates who have
gone on to successful and outstanding careers. Oceanside High School has more
than its share.
In no particular order, this year's OHS Hall of Fame inductees, who will be
honored at 10 a.m., Saturday on campus, are Robert "Bob" Frazee, class of 1946;
Barbara Penrod, class of '51; Alec Cory, class of '31; Barbara Gabriel George,
class of '49; C.R. Roberts, class of '54; Russell "Rusty" Grosse, class of '53;
Jack White, class of '57; and the late Irene Kinne Englund, class of '34.
One of the least known among this year's inductees has the most interesting story.
Encinitas' Irene Kinne traveled north each day to school at a time when
Oceanside had the only high school in the North County coastal area.
After graduation, Irene learned to fly while studying at San Diego State and
later, Pasadena College. In 1943, during World War II, she joined the Women Air
Force Service Pilots (WASP) organization. She was one of 1,047 women (out of
more than 25,000 applicants), who earned her wings as part of the U.S. Army Air
Corps. Irene spent 18 months ferrying military aircraft and transporting war
casualties, as well as piloting planes towing aerial gunnery targets.
Irene was one of the very few WASPs qualified to pilot the big four-engine B-24
"Liberator" bomber, many of which were built in San Diego.
She died of a stroke in 2002 at the age of 85.
Irene's daughter, Julie E. Englund, a retired dean from Harvard Law School,
points out her mother's death actually paved the way for her and her sister
WASPs, along with 36 other wartime veterans groups ---- including the U.S.
Merchant Marines and the famed "Flying Tigers" ---- to receive military funeral
honors at Arlington National Cemetery. For years, those particular World War II
veterans were considered "civilians," therefore not eligible for honors at a
national cemetery.
After Irene's death, this indignity was rectified. She was the first member of
the WASPs to receive military funeral honors. Her ashes were placed beside the
grave of her husband, former Navy Lt. Carl Englund, at Arlington National
Cemetery.
As her mother lay dying in 2002, Julie flew to New York to be by her bedside.
Julie told Irene the airliner upon which she arrived was piloted by two women.
Unable to speak, Irene simply smiled broadly, satisfied in knowing she played a
historic role in pioneering equal treatment for female aviators.
Hello again; Wow, two messages in one week, I think I'm going to hit a system overload and explode. This much time on one of these computer machines is just draining. But, it's the only way I can clear my conscience. So here it is, the full report of the events that transpired in Oceanside. The 100th year birthday celebration of our high school. Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you...........blah.....blah......Happy birthday to you.
Mike Merritt's Death, Bruce Veteto, submitted October 15, 2006
In 1968-69 while serving as an infantry officer with the lst Cav, my mother sent me a clipping from the Blade Tribune newspaper reporting my friend and 1960 OHS classmate, Mike Merritt had been killed in a car wreck in the high desert of San Bernardino County.
| Memories of Growing Up in Oceanside, Frank Elston, Class of 1941, written April of 2002 |
| Frank is also the son of 1909 graduate,
Edith Cotteral. In the 1920’s, 1930’s and 1940’s, it seemed
that Oceanside was a wonderful sleepy little beach town, a wonderful place
for children to grow and spend their formative years of life. In the
early During the years 1928 to 1936, most the kids were probably like those in other small towns, you had to earn money to go to the movies. I sold magazines like Colliers and Saturday Evening Post. At age 11, I was able to get a paper route with the Blade Tribune-$1.00 a week delivering the paper every afternoon, five days a week. Later on, I got a job delivering milk from Ted Stoke’s milk truck. Everyone in town knows you when you deliver milk you can get away with anything in such a small town. The local police looked kindly on the students and the pranks kids pulled in school, all the teachers have known you since the day you were born—it seemed all the teachers knew my mother since we lived so close by. Since most of Oceanside in this era was residential, the streets were very safe. Most of the families didn’t bother to lock their doors. Some kids who had cars, never bothered to lock them and some even took out the key switch and installed an “on and off” switch. Oceanside, in these early days, was attractive for people to spend their vacations at the beach in the summertime. Before the Del Mar small local harbor was created north of town, Oceanside’s beach was very wide and was kept very clean. People from out of town would camp on the beach or just east of the Strand road. The pier was also a big attraction. A good place to fish from or take the water taxi to the fishing barge anchored off shore. I graduated from high school Spring of 1941, attended Oceanside Junior College and then came Dec. 7th. Oceanside began changing as Camp Pendleton was established. In November of 1942, I went into the Army Air Corps and returned Dec. 24, 1946 and saw many, many changes to our little beach town. I feel very fortunate to have been born in Oceanside and to have grown up in such a wonderful town. Memories of Oceanside and the people I grew up with continue to remain prominent in my memory bank, primarily due to the wonderful time I have attending the Old Timers Reunion held every year. Edith Swain and her helpers are to be applauded for the work they have diligently done for the reunion at Heritage Park. |
years there
were two main streets. Hill Street (101 Highway) and Second Street
(Mission) were the two main streets. If you were standing on Home
Street, you could see the Ocean or you could see the mountains, like
Palomar or San Jacinto, depending on the clouds, fog, etc. The trees
were not very high in those days. Our house was at the corner of 1st
Street and Horneand Myers and Edith Elston raised Vivian, Frank, George
and Lura here. Most of the other streets were not paved until the
late 1820’s, I think. We rode horses on the dirt streets. The
town was so quiet that when you heard the fire bell ring, most of us kids,
(if not in school) would run, bike or skate to see the fire. The
town was very small then. If my mother wanted me to go to the store
for her, I had only to run across the vacant lot at Horne and Mission
(which by the way is still vacant), and down the hill to the Red & White
Grocery or Toller’s Meat Market. Exton’s Drugstore and Ben
Franklin’s Five and Dime were right there and even Dr. Reid’s office was
near. Sometimes Dr. Reid, who brought the four Elstons and many of
our friends into the world, could be called and he would come in the house
to tend whoever was sick. The train station at the foot of Second
Street was a big part of life in those early days. You could almost
tell what time of day it was by the sounds of the trains arriving inOHS is Truly Blessed, Arthur Hemingway, Class of 1978, submitted September 14, 2006
Greetings everyone,
My name is Arthur Hemingway and i am a very proud
1978 graduate of Oceanside High School. During my years there ftom '74 through
'78 i've experinced friendship, lots of laughter, inspiration and a special
kind of love of your fellow human being. Also i've enjoyed the learning
atmosphere while there, whether it be Mr. Ron Collins pyschiology class, Mr.
Ken Barnes' p.e. outings or Phyllis Tuller's (Chuddick now) home ec spesialties,
every single instrutor, counselor, adminstrator assiociated with Oceanside
High along with the district i hold in high esteem---------------thank you.
All my classmates-----------------what can i say or
do but, special hugs and handshakes to each one of you for being an impotant
factor during that intergaral part of my life. All of you is what makes OHS
truly blessed!!!!!!!!!!
OHS ALUMNI IN IRAQ, CWO Michael Aguirre, Class of 1978, submitted August 10, 2006
| Chief Warrant Officer Michael Aguirre Class '78 & Staff
Sergeant Larry Marquardt Class '79 reunite after 20 + years. Of all places
on the battle front. It was a momentous occasion to see Larry. Larry is assigned at Taji Iraq and Chief Aguirre is at Balad Iraq. I wish it wouldn't have to be on these terms. |
Click on photos to enlarge |
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CWO Michael Aguirre
40th CSG
Balad, Iraq
Small Town, OHS, by Zoe de Crevecoeur Erickson, Class of 1968. Submitted March 30, 2006
I am enjoying working on the Centennial Committee for Oceanside High School. It
has given me back the ‘small town feel.’ I remember going to the mall when it
was first built in the 1970’s and I always met someone I knew. Now I go there
and I wonder where did all these people come from?
I have always been very proud of the fact that my husband and my family are old OHS alumni, starting in 1938 with his uncle, Harry Erickson. He transferred from Riverside as a senior and graduated that year. He served in the Army during WWII, setting up the communication system in the Eiffel Tower when the US retook Paris.
His brother, Jack Erickson came that same year and graduated in 1941. He joined the Army and served as a radio man aboard a B24 Liberator. He was shot down over Germany and was held in a German Prison of War camp for 9 months, then forced marched when the Germans knew that the Russians were coming. One morning, they woke up and all the guards had disappeared.
Their little sister, Pat Erickson was the last of that generation, graduating in 1944 as valedictorian. She later married Jack Vaughan and together they operated Vaughan’s Market on Coast Highway (Hill Street) until their children sold it in 2005 .
In 1965, Pat and Jack’s son, Erick Vaughan graduated, followed by Jack Erickson’s son, Gary in 1964. Gary’s brother, Jim graduated in 1965. My husband, Bob Erickson graduated in 1967 and I graduated in 1968. Bob’s brother, Tom Wes Erickson graduated in 1969, David in 1970 and my brother, Robert de Crevecoeur and Erick’s twin brother and sister, Jack and Jill Vaughan graduated in 1971.
We could have a family reunion at the Centennial. And we aren't the only family. Together with Laurie Nelson Boone and Debbie Martinez Scott, I am working on the Historical Committee for the the Centennial. We have found several families who have attended OHS for several generations. There’s that small town feeling again.‘
OHS Alumni Life Adventure, by Debbie Martinez Scott, Class of 1981. Submitted March 30, 2006
| Hello Fellow Pirates! - It is me, Debbie MARTINEZ Scott,
1981 Alumni. I am alive and doing well here in Vista, CA. The day of our '81 graduation my daughter did turn 3. Now she is 27! In 1991 I got married and soon after had two more sons. For the last 11 years I have built up my Creative Memories business where I have a team of 40 ladies who work with me. My true desire to make a posting is so share a truth about my life: I attribute one of the key successes in my life was attending Oceanside High School. Being exposed to many nationalities and economic levels has made my adult life alot easier. My "People Skills" are high and I am a confident person when interacting with all the people I meet during work, church or home life adventures. OHS people do understand and practice "Keep It Real". Always hold your head high fellow Pirates... Being the owner of "People Skills" is a priceless commodity. |
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Manuel O. Morales, by Manuel F. Morales, Class of 1961. Submitted March 15, 2006
My father Manuel O. Morales was a 1941 graduate and the stats for memoriam are Born May 15, 1921 - Deceased June 27, 2002. He is a WWII veteran and I assume that the American flag used next to a name stands for veteran? If not could it be mentioned in the listing?
Tony Zale, by Dan Sherrill, Class of 1962. Submitted February 10, 2006
Lives lived. Paths crossed – and not crossed. I never met Tony Zale. I don’t know if he knew of me or not. But I knew of him. Through the years I felt a special affinity for him.
Boxing fans certainly know of him. World middleweight boxing champion in 1946, 47, and 48. He and Rocky Graziano fought 3 bouts in those years trading the title back and forth. The ‘Man of Steel’ gave boxing a legendary fight in the first title match, when he came back to KO Graziano in the sixth round.
I remember
bouncing around in the back of a US Army deuce-and-a-half* on an operation in
Alaska in 1969 when I happened across an old copy of Police Gazette on the
floor. Trod upon, worn and torn, inside there was an article
with a picture of Tony Zale and his life in Gary, Indiana working with
neighborhood kids. He looked and sounded in the interview very lonely. I
recall reading a statement about his own kids and he thought, “…they were out on
the west coast somewhere.”
Tony Zale died 20 Mar 1997 at the age of 83. I don’t know if he ever knew that I had taken his youngest daughter, Theresa Neri, to the 1962 Oceanside High School Senior Prom. **
* GI term for a 2 and ˝ ton truck.
** I don’t remember much about the Senior Prom except two things. One was that it was held at a country club that was out by hell and gone in Oceanside. I had never been there before (nor since). And the second was the fact that the greeting school official, I think it was Vice Principal Holton, knew both our names and introduced us correctly. I walked away thinking “How the hell did he know our names?”
Enduring Symbols, by Dan Sherrill, Class of 1962. Submitted January 10, 2006
11 Oct 2002
I spent last week in Athens in talks with a client. I had a weekend to kill there since all the flights out of Copenhagen during the weekend were booked and I had to leave Friday (yeah, I know, tough luck! – when life hands you lemons, you make ouzo).
My Greek guide, a lady from Lesbos, met me in Syntagma Square and we wound our way down Ermou St and then a little south to the Acropolis. As we ascended to that enduring symbol of Greek civilization, it was hard not to be reminded of products of that civilization, Herodotus (the father of history), Eratosthenes (the father of geography) and others. Those whose thinking that in my professional journey I’ve stepped on to reach further.
Like you, my professional journey included a time at Oceanside High School. I sat behind Judy S in the fall of 1958 in John Simcox’s Social Studies class. As I recall, it was third period, just before lunch. John, or Mr. Simcox died later that school year, the years too many to state exactly when. I loved the large sign SIMCOX FIELD on the back of the grandstand at the football field. Over the years, I have gone by or through Oceanside between trips here and there and I could always point out that sign and, if I chose, I could say – I know the story behind that sign.
I went through Oceanside maybe in 98, 99, can’t remember the exact date. The sign was gone! I was disturbed to the point of calling the high school and asking. The lady who answered had to ask, and the answer – the name had been moved to the scoreboard. To this day, I feel poorer for the removal of that enduring symbol of one that I had stepped on to reach further.
Dedicated to the Oceanside High School faculty.
Dan sent us a follow-up
story, posted January 11, 2006. This one asks
for input from alumni about the fate of OHS students killed in the
Vietnam War.
Oceanside in the Vietnam War, by Dan Sherrill, Class of 1962. Submitted January 11, 2006
6 Sep 2004
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Back in 2002, I wrote a piece about visiting the Vietnam Memorial in
Washington DC (Panel 22E, Line 103, 13 Dec 2002). I posted it to the web site
www.thewall-usa.com under Steve Honnold’s name. Some time later I received
an email from his sister Robin Honnold and we renewed an acquaintanceship
spanning more than 40 years. I didn’t realize that several states had their own
Vietnam Memorials and that California was one of them.
Robin related as
much as she knew about Steve’s death so many years ago. Steve’s father was by
chance working in Vietnam at the time as a civilian contractor and had
accompanied the body home. Steve was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in
San Bruno, CA on 13 July 1967, 11 days after he was killed in action. It was a
closed casket ceremony; I’m surmising because he was shot up pretty bad. His
father prevailed upon the California Viet Nam Memorial Committee to list Steve
as a California native even though he originally enlisted (and is listed at the
Washington Memorial) from Kansas City, Missouri.
This summer I had the privilege to visit Sacramento and meet with Robin at the Memorial. The Memorial is interesting in that it lists some 5,000 plus Californians which represents about 10% of the total number killed from the US. I had no idea that California’s representation was so high. The names are listed by hometown and then alphabetically facilitating finding the person if the hometown is known. In distinction, the Memorial in Washington is strictly chronological which means to find someone, one must look up the name in books posted at both ends of the Memorial.
I have listed those from the California Memorial under Oceanside and noted a few statistics.
1. Alfred, Thomas S.
18, USA, Pvt.
2. Allen, Wayne A. 19,
USA, PFC
3. Brophy, Daniel R. 20, USA, SP4
4. Cunningham, Joseph W. Jr. 23, USA, SP5
5. Diehl, Harry G. 28, USA, PSgt
6. Frey, Dean L. 21, USA, SSG
7. Garcia, Christopher 20, USMC, PFC
8. Gosch, Thomas C. 34, USMC, 1Lt
9. Hayes, Wayne N. 39, USMC, SMaj
10. Hoeffs, John H. 20, USA,
SP4
11. Honnold, Stephen J. 20, USMC, LCpl.
12. Kennedy, Edward H. 20, USA, SP4
13. Kostich, Robert B. Jr. 21, USA, Sgt
14. Mc Kenzie, Douglas, N. II 21, USMC, Cpl.
15. Messing, Mitchell, 22, USAF, Sgt
16. Misa, Viane S. 22, USMC,
PFC
17. Nelson, Albert O. Jr. 20, USMC, 2Lt
18. Perdue, Don M. 23, USMC, Sgt
19. Ratcliff, Terry W. 25, USA, SSgt
20. Sadler, Mitchell O Jr. 32, USAF, Capt
21. Stutes, William B. 25, USMC, Sgt
22. Suiaunoa, Tuloalele T. 30, USA, SFC
By service:
USA 11
USMC 9
USAF 2
By age:
Youngest 18
Oldest 39
By rank:
Officers 3
Enlisted 19
It is striking that there are so many of Steve’s age listed that it got me wondering if there are other former OHS students listed. The older ones who are Marines I can guess had settled in Oceanside due to proximity to the base but are really from other parts of the US.
If any of you know and want to contribute to this piece, please contact me with details!
Our first story is from Dan Sherrill, Class of 1962, posted January 10, 2006
Panel 22E, Line 103
13 Dec 2002
In a quiet corner of Mombasa there is a small military cemetery where British soldiers rest from the Mau Mau conflicts in the late 50s and early 60s. Unnoticed by most but heartfelt by those who visit, these sacred places of our time are scattered around the world. On the road from Athens to Marathon, there are signs pointing out where German soldiers rest from World War II. Regardless of the politics, I cannot help but feel a sense of sacredness when I visit them.
The two most sacred for me are the Vietnam Wall and the USS Arizona. One of my prize possessions is a framed promotion of my Dad to Private First Class, USMC signed by the Captain of the Arizona in 1940. Being a native of Arizona, Dad was assigned to the Marine detachment aboard the Arizona in 1939 and 40. At the memorial in Pearl Harbor, one can divine the outline of the rusting hulk, oil still leaking to the surface.
It was poignant when I saw his name. I almost cried. It was 1989.
“Stephen J. Honnold, USMC, 2 Jul 67.”
Some of you may remember Steve, he was Oceanside High School 1964; “Spider” played on the baseball team. He lived across the street from me in Wire Mountain and we spent that time of our lives growing up together. If you haven’t yet, and have the opportunity, visit Steve at Panel 22E, Line 103.
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go."
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January
1970
Dak To,
Vietnam
Thanks to the OHS62 Reunion Committee for “one backward glance.”
Notes:
http://thewall-usa.com - This website contains all the names, dates,
locations on the wall, etc. It also has a place to post personal reflections
are thoughts. I posted this article under Steve’s name.
The point about the politics being irrelevant is important. One of the design criteria for the Vietnam Wall is that it make no political statement about the war.
Dad’s promotion is dated 23 May 1940 and signed by Captain H.C. Train, USN.
Post Script 15 Nov 2003:
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I was in Washington on Veteran’s Day, 11 Nov 2003 and then on the weekend, Saturday 15 November 2003 and took this picture of the panel.
Postscript 16 Jan 2004:
Steve is buried in San Bruno, CA at Golden Gate National
Cemetery. The entry from the web page (www.interment.net) is:
Honnold, Stephen J, b. 09/18/1946, d. 07/02/1967, LCPL USMC, Plot: G
2117-H, bur. 07/13/1967, *
Full information from the wall database:
LCPL - E3 -
Marine Corps - Regular
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 18, 1946
From KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Length of service 1 year.
Casualty was on Jul 02, 1967
in QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 22E - - Line 103
Ray
Harton
mc2316774@aol.com
Fellow Marine
Full Quote:
"If you are able, save
for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving
for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always.
Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take
one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."
Major
Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam1978