December 12, 2003
There will be a design workshop on Tuesday, December 16th
from 6:00PM – 7:30PM at the Oroville Veteran’s Memorial Hall
located at 2374 Montgomery Street, Oroville. Butte County is conducting
a study to determine the feasibility of developing 3 parcels located
adjacent to the existing Veterans’ Memorial Hall on Montgomery Street
in downtown Oroville. The development would include a Veterans’
Memorial Park and construction of additional parking to serve both
the existing Veterans’ Hall facility and the downtown commercial
area. The following items will be discussed at the December 16th
meeting: Information regarding land acquisition, goals, objectives
and prioritized project elements for the Veteran’s Memorial Park,
additional parking, project costs and phasing. Input from all interested
persons will be appreciated. Please, Readers, if you can,
come and support our Oroville Veterans Memorial Park. There will
be cookies and coffee!
Oroville Mercury April 2, 1945
IN THE FIGHT
PINE BOYS SERVE OVERSEAS; UNCLE IN CALCUTTA MEET
Seaman 2/c Walter Vote Pine, 19 of the navy, veteran of the
Leyte invasion, Luzon and Linguayan, had Christmas in March when
the presents sent to him by his family finally caught up with him.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Al G. Pine of Robinson Street, Pine attended
the local high school and enlisted in the service while still in
his junior year there. He took his boot training in San Diego and
later trained at several other stations. He embarked from San Pedro
in August 1944. Prior to his military service he worked in the supply
department at McClellan Field. In letters home he writes that more
than anything else he appreciates the letters he gets back. Pfc.
Vernon Pine, 23, uncle of Walter, took part in the All-American
track and field meet held recently in Calcutta. He placed in the
half-mile race and pole vault events. He wrote that his relay team
placed fifth out of more than 20 teams entered. Pine represented
the Burma-Chino-India Theatre in the meet. He is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. C. W. Pine of Palo Alto. While in Oroville he made his
home with his brother, Al Pine. He is also a brother of Mrs. Walter
Oster of Robinson Street. While a student at the local high school,
Pine was active in sports, particularly football. He was also noted
for his work in art. Following school, he was engaged in radio work
at McCellan Field. He enlisted in the Air Corps in 1942 and is now
stationed in Agra, India.
Stu’s notes: The Old Warriors gathered around the flagpole in
Gridley in honor of those who lost their lives on that fateful December
Day. About 9 or 10 Pearl Survivors in all, 3 or 4 of the media,
wives and I and my buddy Nick Krpan, who fought in the European
part of the war were there. Only 30 of us were there on a surprisingly
warm, clear December day. The Gridley City Administrator spoke for
the Mayor and a speaker from Congressman Wally Herger’s Office spoke
to those gathered. Prayers were said and the Flag was left at half-staff,
as it should be on this day. December 8th must also be
remembered as many Americans died on other Pacific Islands that
day. This was the start of the war that took 400,000 of our finest
men and women, about 60 from Oroville. Oh, by the way Art’s book
about the Ducks that I spelled last week duwks the correct spelling
is Dukws. Two of the Dukws were used in Oroville to get across Lake
Oroville before the Bidwell Bar Bridge was completed. We have not
heard from Debbie since November 19th. She is probably
on the road with no access to E-mail. I told the Pearl harbor survivors
that I know what their mothers and fathers went through. Although
back then word from the troops took months to get home. I hope to
see you all at the Light Parade tomorrow night, Saturday, December
13th.