HISTORY: Carol Pastor on patriotism in Coronado and the fl oating museum, the USS Midway

Crown City History

IN COLLABORATION WITH CORONADO HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Patriotism

surrounds us

BY CAROL PASTOR CORONADO HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEER

Much is written each year about patriotism in Coronado. Our celebrations for Independence Day date back to 1888 when we had our rst small parade two years before the city of Coronado became incorporated in 1890. Since that small hometown event, our local celebrations have evolved into footraces, skydiving exhibits, the largest parade in the west and reworks both in Coronado and across the bay. Indeed, patriotism runs throughout our history.

It has been pointed out that we are perhaps one of the most patriotic communities in our country. In the late 1960s and early ’70s, we were noted as having the most retired admirals living here. Many owned homes here, while others chose to reside in the new condos at the Coronado Shores starting in the late ’60s. I was personally fortunate enough to have spent one New Year’s Day at a friend’s condo

An A-7 Corsair landing on the USS Midway.

surrounded by three retired admirals who told us stories of their times at sea and how lucky they were to be alive. My husband had to tell them that their exploits during the Korean War were what I had studied as a senior in high school. That was a show-stopper.

We are here in Coronado surrounded by military facilities, home to thousands of active and retired service people, but there is more to be seen and learned of military history just across the bridge. Our Navy roots run deep. Have you, local or visitor alike, taken the time to visit our oating museum? Better known as the USS Midway, it is our very own United States Naval aircraft carrier.

Coronado has many connections to aircraft carrier history. If you take another step back in time 100 years ago to the launching of our rst carrier, the Langley, in 1922, you may know we have celebrated that anniversary here as well. With the Langley and this new class of ship, the Navy moved forward. Yet as we entered World War II, we only had eight carriers to enter the ght, so considerable effort was focused on improving our eet. Since then, we have seen larger and more sophisticated ships launched, many of which we have seen sailing our bay.

To learn more about carriers, let us return to the USS Midway Museum. In early 2004, she was brought over from Coronado and set into her present location berthed along Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego. There were skeptics who doubted the success of this venture. At the time there were only two aircraft on the carrier deck. Today there are at least 30 planes on board the decks. Thousands of people from all over the world have visited this bit of history in the past 18 years. Today there are 250 active docents, with 25 to 30 working two shifts a day to answer your questions and give tours of the facility. The Midway’s docents include many retired military personnel from Coronado who are once again giving their time to others. And yes, there are others who volunteer there as well. Just take the morning ferry over from Coronado to San Diego and you will see the group heading to their post at the Midway.

Floating museums like ours and ones in Charleston, Corpus Christie, and Alameda keep our history alive today. They have told us the history of naval warfare from the battleships to the rst carriers, then moving on through the different classes of ships from the Essex design to the Midway class, then the larger supercarriers like the ones we know in Coronado – the Ranger and Saratoga. These moved up to the nuclear class, such as Kitty Hawk and Enterprise, which are also seen at North Island.

The Midway is a favorite summer stop, especially when thinking of our military roots during these patriotic months. There is so much to see and learn aboard ship, including special exhibits to be viewed below deck. When you are tired you can move on, take a break and visit their coffee shop. You are always welcome to visit the Midway Museum, so please do put this on your bucket list.

Stockdale's crusaders 'breaking' over the USS Midway on October 1, 1958.

• Carol Pastor and her family have lived in Coronado since the mid-1970s. Mother of seven girls, many of whom still live here in the village, Carol has been involved in the community over the years with the Friends of the Library, Historic Resource Commission, and most recently writing about Coronado history for the Coronado Historical Association. An avid history buff since her college days, exploring our local history is a perfect t.

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