Hanging Up Their Guns After 504 Years

Ever plan a big party and worry how it’s going to come off? Don Blankenship is leading preparations for a party he’s convinced can only fall short of what’s deserved. But my guess is that it’s going to be close to perfect.

About twice a year the Santa Ana Police Officers Assn. holds a party for retiring officers. The guests of honor usually number two or three, and a small crowd of friends shares a few stories.

But Wednesday night will be the retirement party to top them all. Honored at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge will be 26 Santa Ana police retirees--all but one of them sworn officers. A crowd of close to 400 is expected.

The event is somewhat bittersweet. All but a few of these 26 men and women are being forced into medical retirements this month to make room for those who can work a wider range of duties. The retirees have been on limited duty--such as desk assignments--because of various medical conditions, such as knee or back injuries. But for one night anyway, resentment will be set aside for a gathering focused on fun--and recognition.

But the recognition can’t possibly live up to what these people deserve, says Don Blankenship, president of the association. He explains:

“How can you adequately honor 504 years of experience that you’re losing? You just can’t. You could talk an hour about each one of these people leaving. Some of them have been shot, or injured, in the line of duty. They are truly heroes in this community. These are the real folks, the hard-chargers.”

Police Chief Paul M. Walters will be on hand to help with ceremonies during which each cop will receive a retirement badge. There will also be a nice cash bonus. The police association will give $25 to each for every year they’ve been a member, up to $500. Most will receive the maximum.

The music will be oldies rock ‘n’ roll. The retirees couldn’t have a more appropriate band. The Blue Magic is made up of six Santa Ana police officers who have been together about 10 years. Because they work so many different shifts--and are getting a little older--the group has been semi-retired. But Sgt. Jim McDaniel, one of its leaders, says they weren’t about to miss a chance to play for the retiring police personnel.

“Those guys have always been there for us,” he said. “We want to be there for them.”

Special Art, Special People: Next time you’re at MainPlace/Santa Ana, check out the new Very Special Arts California Gallery, next to Robinsons-May on the upper level. It specializes in works by developmentally disabled artists. A new exhibit that opens Thursday includes work by two Northern California artists, Deatra Colbert, 33, and Sam Gant, 43. Their art has appeared at the National Institute of Art & Disabilities and the American Visionary Art Museum.

But local artists’ pieces are displayed as well. Also opening that day is an exhibition called “Snow Queens.” The artists are all fifth- and sixth-grade special education students at Roosevelt Elementary School in Anaheim.

Special People II: Since it opened six years ago, the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda has had a lot of big-name guests--such as Bob Hope, who will be there Saturday at 1 p.m. But Wednesday the library will host a unique group of visitors: about a dozen local mothers and fathers who lost sons in the Vietnam War.

They will attend 10:30 a.m. ceremonies in which ornaments bearing the names of Orange County’s 319 men and women killed in Vietnam from 1965 to 1975 will be placed on an 8-foot Christmas tree. Families will hang ornaments bearing their son’s name and the names of four or five other fallen servicemen and women.

Speaking of Big Names: “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?” Remember that Simon & Garfunkel lyric from the film “The Graduate”? The answer, of course, is Orange County.

When it comes to big-name visitors, it just doesn’t get any better than this. On Saturday, Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio, now 83, will attend a sports memorabilia show at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel in Costa Mesa. But before you get too excited about trotting your youngsters down to meet him, beware: His autograph won’t come cheap.

DiMaggio will sign hats, home plates and magazines--which must be purchased at the show--for prices ranging from $175 to $450. And the item he writes his name on has to be bought separately. DiMaggio will not sign lithographs, baseball cards, gloves, jerseys or bats, so leave all that stuff home too.

How big a star was Joltin’ Joe? A career .325 hitter, DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games in 1941. In the 56 years since, nobody’s even come close to that record.

Wrap-Up: There is a 27th retiree who will be attending that Santa Ana Police Officers Assn. bash. He’s Carlos, the 12-year-old canine whose 9-year career with the Santa Ana Police Department and a regional drug unit has resulted in numerous national records. Just to name a few: $56 million in drug money seized, 18,757 kilos of cocaine, 8,162 pounds of marijuana, and 1,100 pounds of methamphetamines.

Carlos’ partner during the entire time, Michael A. Fleet, says Carlos’ “mind and nose are still willing and eager to work.” Unfortunately, Carlos’ other body parts aren’t holding up so well. He suffers from arthritis and anemia, and he has a bad hip.

Jerry Hicks’ column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Readers may reach Hicks by calling the Times Orange County Edition at (714) 966-7823 or by fax to (714) 966-7711, or e-mail to jerry.hicks@latimes.com