World War II veterans to reunite at OCC

Amy R. Spurgeon

COSTA MESA -- More than 200 World War II veterans who served or were

trained at the Santa Ana Army Air Base are expected to show Saturday for

their 25th annual reunion at OCC.

The air base, which closed in 1946, was the largest in the country and

was the lone site that providing “preflight” training for pilots,

navigators and bombardiers.

Some of the 128,000 veterans who attended the air base as cadets started

the annual reunions 25 years ago -- 11 years after the base was closed.

The 1,336-acre base is now home to OCC, Costa Mesa High School, the Costa

Mesa Civic Center, the fairgrounds and commercial and residential areas.

The daylong event will be presented by the Costa Mesa Historical Society.

A.E. “Bud” Anderson, a board member, will be the master of ceremonies.

Anderson has been in charge of the reunions since 1989.

“Ten years ago, we had attendance in the 400s,” said Anderson, 82, who

was stationed at the base for training in 1942. “The World War II vets

are dying off. We’re getting old.”

Some of the names on the reservation list indicate just how much time has

passed since the war: Doris, Dorothy, Georgette, Fran, Marvin, Roy,

Ralph, Viola and Ruby.

Costa Mesa resident and Korean War veteran Edrick Miller will be in

attendance. He is the author of two books on the history of Costa Mesa,

“Slice of Orange” and “The S.A.A.A.B. Story.”

“Joe DiMaggio and Jimmy Stewart were stationed at the base,” Miller said.

“And Bob Hope used to entertain there.”

Miller said the federal government selected Costa Mesa for the following

reasons: a base was needed on the West Coast, land was bountiful and

cheap, and the weather was good.

The event will feature the presentation and retiring of colors by the

Costa Mesa Fire Department; Taps, performances by Andrews Sisters

look-alikes; a luncheon; speakers; and displays.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the opening ceremonies will start at 10

a.m. Tickets will be available at the door. General admission is $10.

OCC is at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Events will take place in and

around the quad area. For more information, call (949) 631-5918.