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September 10, 2010

Oroville Mercury
July 30, 1951
News From Oroville Men In The Service
Pvt. Harold Cardoza, formerly of Crescent Mills, has left San Francisco on the USNS Gen. William Black bound for Yokahama, Japan. Cardoza who joined the Army, Feb. 19, and trained as an infantryman at Camp Roberts, left this country July 12. He was sent to Japan as a replacement and will join the 40th division there. His wife, Mrs. Lorna Cardoza lives on Quincy Road with her parents. Cardoza is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Cardoza who live at Crescent Mills.

Pvt. Harold Allen Lerner, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lerner of Route 2, Oroville, California, has begun 16 weeks of training as an infantryman at Fort Ord with Company H, 63rd Infantry Regiment, Sixth Infantry Division. Private Lerner is a graduate of Oroville Union High School.

Pvt. Norman D. MacKenzie, son of Mr. and Mrs. K. F. MacKenzie, Las Plumas, upon completing basic training with Battery B at Camp Roberts, has been selected to attend the leaders course there. This course, started three years ago, was established as an eight weeks course and is to train “selected, potential leaders.” Upon completing the course Pvt. MacKenzie will receive a certificate of graduation. He was graduated from Oroville High School in 1948.

T-Sgt Robert Ott, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ott of Biggs, recently arrived at Travis Air Force base from March Field and has been assigned to the 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. Ott was in the Air Force Reserves and was ordered back into the service April 16, being sent to Hamilton Field. He enlisted in the Air Corps in 1943 and flew 35 combat missions in Italy as an aerial photographer-gunner during World War II.

Oroville Mercury
December 27, 1950
Oroville Man Reports on First Hand Study of Conditions in The Orient When Mike Cestone, 47, is following his life-time work he is aboard ship traveling to far-off lands as the “sparks” on a freighting vessel. When he is at home, he is the proprietor of the Circle Drive-In at 671 Montgomery Street, where he makes “the best Italian style meat balls in town.” For Cestone is a lieutenant in the U. S. Merchant Marine and a senior radio officer, a post he won after overcoming handicaps that might have disheartened less talented and determined persons. It was in 1921 that Cestone first went to sea. Through the years he participated in much of the union rough and tumble that have marked the famous ports of the United States—New York, New Orleans, Galveston and San Francisco. Cestone is in Oroville now after two months in the Orient and Philippine Islands aboard the President McKinley. While in port he learned much of what the working men think of the present war situation and particularly of the United States. Here are some of his observations: Philippines. “There is a lot trouble there with a revolutionary movement apparently growing stronger.” He said he did not know whether the Hukbalahaps were Communist-led, but added that the people he talked with charged the Philippine government had failed to bring about land reforms it had promised. “The vast majority of Filipinos,” he said, “favored the United States over any other allegiance, but many are listening to Huk promises.”
(to be continued)

Stu’s Notes: I have written before of Norman MacKenzie, but not much. I think he still lives around Oroville. He was a Coach at Oroville High when I was there over 52 years ago. Mike Cestone had quite a career, you will learn next week that he served in WWII. I never ate at the Circle Drive-In in the 50’s as we never ate in restaurants what with 5 kids and mom and dad, we ate always at home, or Grandma’s, we had the best cooked food bar none- Mom’s and Grandmas cooking. Lynn and I ate there in the 70’s. Maybe there was a different owner by then. It was kind of neat eating in a circle you could look around at everyone.

In just one week, Friday, September 17
th, we will have a program in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day, on the steps of the Veterans Memorial Hall on Montgomery Street, at 7pm. Our guest speaker will be Bob Wolfersberger, Prisoner of War of the Japanese 1942-1945. Please come and let Bob know that Oroville has “Not Forgotten” these long Forgotten men.

If you have a motorcycle or know someone who does, tell them of the Motorcycle Rally/Poker-Run, 117 mile scenic route thru the Sierra Foothills. All proceeds benefit “Oroville
Veterans Memorial Park For all of Butte County”. The Run starts and ends at Feather Falls Casino. There will be live music from Bill Mangus and the Crossroads Band, with cash prizes. Pins, wrist-bands and Tee Shirts for the 1st 200 registered. The date is Saturday, Sept 18, 2010. Registration is from 7:00am to 9:00am. Poker Run begins at 8:30am the awards will be between 5pm and 7pm; cost is $25 Single and $15 for Passenger. Cash prizes will be $500 High hand, $300 Low hand. Discount rooms will be available at The Lodge on site. For more information you can call 589-5748.