Defining years S

ince the beginning of the 20th century, each generation has had a war that defined their times. World War I was known as the war to end all wars, and the Greatest Generation fought through World War II. During these conflicts, the world was united in a fight of good against evil.

The Vietnam War was different. Big cultural shifts were occurring in the 1960s, questioning the morality of the war.

During those years, Coronado was a small, primarily Navy town. It felt quiet and safe, sheltered from the storms of change. For many Coronado families, deployment to Vietnam was real. My family said goodbye to my dad for a year when he went to Vietnam.

At home, we watched the news, saw the fighting, the casualty lists and the turmoil of antiwar sentiment. As a kid, it was hard to grasp, but it became more real when a classmate’s father was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese. I assumed their prison camp wasn’t like the sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes,” but at least, I thought, they were together with a roof over their heads and food. Little did I know.

By the late ’60s, wives of prisoners of war were demanding answers from Washington about the welfare of their husbands. They brought to light the prisoners’ horrible living conditions and torture. In solidarity, I proudly and faithfully wore my POW bracelet.

When the Paris Peace Accords were finally signed in January 1973 ending the war, I had three classmates whose fathers were POWs. The feeling of relief was palpable in Coronado.

The war was a backdrop of my childhood, but my memories of POWs defined those years for me. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet the former POWs from Coronado. The strength of those men and their families will always be remarkable.

Respectfully,

Leslie

MARCH 2023

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COVER STORY

12 'THE GUY HOWLING IN THE WOODS' Mojo Nixon charts own path with a sound that combines punk rock and hillbilly music

FEATURES

4 HOMECOMING'S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

Coronado Historical Association commemorates the release of Vietnam POWs with a new exhibition

4

34 POETIC LICENSE

Ode to Coronado has John Philip Sousa playing at Tent City. Was he really there?

DEPARTMENTS

20 DID YOU KNOW?

Coronado Public Library's online offerings.

24 MADE IN CORONADO

Cathy Surgeoner Deibler paints from the heart.

32 LOOKING BACK

This month in Coronado history.

34

ON THE COVER Mojo

38 FROM THE GROUND UP

What you need to know about spring gardening.

44 BEACHCOMBER Osprey.

46 MILITARY

La Jolla Music Society offers healing through harmony.