El Toro Homecoming Recap

On November 7, nearly 100 veterans returned with their families to the site of the former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), El Toro to be honored at the 2009 El Toro Homecoming. The El Toro Homecoming paid tribute to those who shared and documented their lives and memories through the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station Oral History Project, a collaboration between the Orange County Great Park Corporation and California State University Fullerton’s Center for Oral and Public History.

The Great Park Oral History Program documents the relationship between a military base and the community that surrounds it. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the resulting transformation of the area after World War II and the changing demographics of Orange County while preserving the memories of the men and women who served the nation in times of war.” — Dr. Natalie Fousekis, Director for Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Oral and Public History

Honorees and guests reminisced with friends at lunch next to historic airplane Hangar 244 and were treated to great big band music and dancing by Pete Jacobs and his Radio Wartime Review. They also enjoyed a reader’s theatre of performances by former and current CSUF master’s students, all of whom recorded oral histories for the project.

Selections from Oral History Interviews

El Toro Homecoming Photo Slideshow

Those who served El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, or have fond memories of the former base and would like to participate in the Oral History Project, please call 657-278-8415 or e-mail coph-ltoro [at] fullerton.edu For more information about the Oral History Project please go to https://coph.fullerton.edu/