We’ll Lose Good Neighbor If Marine Air Base Closes : Closure: The El Toro station, nearing its 50th year, has served us well. It has hosted countless dignitaries and made history.

It was 50 years ago this month that a bean field in the middle of the Irvine Ranch was converted into the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro. It has been part of the Marine Corps--and Orange County--history ever since.

I wasn’t there when El Toro opened. I came aboard as a secretary after the war in 1946. That was when I saw the first jet aircraft land at El Toro. It was an Air Force jet, commonly referred to then as a flying stovepipe--a far cry from the sophisticated aircraft flying out of El Toro today.

There have been so many wonderful memories in the last 47 years.

I recall in the early ‘50s a rodeo/carnival held annually to raise funds to support the Navy Relief Society. The former Secretary of the Navy, Charles S. Thomas, who at the time was the president of the Irvine Co., served as the grand marshal one year.

After the Korean War, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing was transferred to El Toro from Florida, and the station began to grow. With this move came families. New housing and barracks were built. Runways have been lengthened and widened.

In the early ‘60s, I remember President Lyndon B. Johnson addressing troops at El Toro who were departing for Vietnam. Years later, in 1975, thousands of Vietnamese refugees were flown into El Toro for processing at Camp Pendleton and relocation throughout the United States.

El Toro drew national attention during the Nixon years with the President’s arrival and departure on his trips to the Western White House in San Clemente. The base buzzed with Secret Service and White House aides. It was exciting to be a part of history. I even got to go aboard Air Force One for a tour.

In addition to President Nixon, many world leaders passed through El Toro on their way to the Western White House, including Leonid Brezhnev, head of the of the Soviet Union; President Mobutu of the then Congo; and President Suharto of Indonesia. My husband and I even got to visit the Western White House.

But El Toro is not an isolated military base. It’s also a good neighbor. The Marines have, of necessity and natural human desire, become an integral part of the community. Its Sea and Rescue aircraft lend a helping hand whenever called. Helicopters search for lost people, aid in locating small craft in distress in coastal waters, help fight forest fires and perform many mercy and life-saving missions.

I remember the heavy rains of 1969 that created flood conditions in my neighborhood along the Santiago Creek. Marine helicopters ferried junked cars from a field near Bristol Street to Santiago Creek banks in an effort to halt erosion.

El Toro and its Marines also play an important part in the economic life of Orange County. The impact can be likened to that of a big corporation or industry. Many millions of dollars each year flow into the life stream of the county’s economy. Thousands of Marines, active and retired, own property, pay local taxes, assume community responsibilities and participate in civic betterment programs, church functions, Little League, PTA, Scouting and many other civic and social activities. El Toro returns young men to the civilian community enriched with discipline, maturity and a step toward a skill of their choice. Many of our retired Marines from El Toro are occupying important positions in the community.

I have also seen the other side of the coin. The Orange County community has given much to the Marines, most recently during Desert Storm. I have seen many acts of kindness to the Marines’ families. The superb work of the citizens in providing fund-raisers and other programs to assist our military families left behind was instrumental in giving the troops in the Middle East the peace of mind they needed to focus on their jobs.

On March 17 the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary. This will be a great day for the Marines. I hope the base will be here another 50 years.