Todd Anton has been a U.S. History instructor for over 22 years, and his ability to work closely with his students and World War II veterans has earned him national recognition – for an extensive oral history collection (nearly 5,000) involving combat veterans from WWI through the present. As a result of his nomination as VFW “Teacher of the Year”, legendary author/historian Dr. Stephen E. Ambrose took Todd under his wing and encouraged him to achieve even more. Anton serves on the board of Trustees for the late Dr. Ambrose’s National World War II Museum, and the museum has featured Todd as a speaker at a gala function in Washington DC honoring the members of Congress who served in World War II and at the premiere of Steven Spielberg’s documentary on his father, Arnold Spielberg’s squadron in W.W. II, called the Burma Bridge Busters, at Fox Studios in Los Angeles. Anton also serves as the Divisional Historian for his late father’s World War II unit, the 70th Infantry Division-Trailblazers, and has written a history of the division’s artillery units called Distant Thunder: The Field Artillery units of the 70th Infantry Division in World War II. All of these organizations understand the importance of preserving the memory and sacrifice of the “Citizen Soldier” in W.W II, and that this process begins in the classroom. They have chosen Anton as their ambassador. Anton has been awarded high recognition by the US Army and US Navy for his educational outreach between youth, the community and the US Military.

As a son of World War II/Korean War Army veteran, the late Wallace P. Anton, Todd has been inspired on a personal level to honor the “Greatest Generation.” Raised on a steady dose of Dodger baseball and stories of WWII, Wally Anton raised a son dedicated to preserving the stories of the men who served America in the time of its greatest need and also played Major League Baseball. Shortly before his father’s death on June 6 (D-Day) 2002, both father and son started on the path to remind America about baseball’s great and heroic tradition in World War II. No Greater Love is the culmination of that journey.

Anton’s book inspired FOX News Channel’s War Stories with Oliver North to produce a show dedicated to Baseball and World War II veterans called From the Ballpark to the Battlefield: Baseball and World War II. Anton joined Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling and noted baseball historian Bill Nowlin as the advisors for this show.

A further collaboration led to the very successful “When Baseball Went to War” exhibit at the National World War II Museum featuring artifacts from the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, the National World War II Museum’s own collection which ran from November 2007 through April 2008. This conference sold out and featured veterans such as Bob Feller, Johnny Pesky, Morrie Martin, Lou Brissie, Jerry Coleman, and current all star Curt Schilling. Anton and Nowlin inspired this conference to national acclaim. To view more visit http://baseball.nationalww2museum.org/

Todd Anton, 49, lives in Victorville, California with his wife Susan and their children and continues to teach American History. No Greater Love (Rounder Books) is Todd’s first book. Anton’s second book, “When Baseball Went to War” (Triumph Books) was released in 2007 and was selected as a featured book for: “Book of the Month Club”, “History Book Club” and “Military Book Club” selection. Reviews have been outstanding and many recognize Anton’s amazing collection of oral interviews. Coming in 2013 will be Anton’s fourth book, “When Football Went to War” which will tell the amazing story of the NFL and collegiate players-stars on the field, heroes on the battlefield.

“Sacred Ground – A Tribute to America’s Veterans”
Tom Ruck envisioned a book honoring the American Veteran. As an unknown author and photographer, the journey to publication was difficult, yet remarkable, and is a story in itself. The result of Tom’s efforts, “Sacred Ground, A Tribute to America’s Veterans,” was released by Regnery Publishing achieving a #5 ranking on Amazon. As he describes, “I created this book as a labor of love to honor the truest of American heroes, our veterans.”

Acting Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield presented Ruck with a Special Commendation Award in Washington, DC. “Tom Ruck has brought honor and recognition to America’s heroes and the VA,” said Mansfield. “His respect and admiration for the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families is reflected on every page of this book. Sacred Ground has heightened the public’s awareness of the courage, commitment and sacrifices of America’s Veterans.”

Sacred Ground was awarded a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America. It was named the Overall Grand Prize winner at the Branson Stars & Flags Book Awards, and was the Winner of the USA Best Book Awards in the Military History category.

All of the royalties generated by the sales of Sacred Ground go directly to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund. “What I love about this book is that kids who have been dealt a traumatic blow by the loss of a parent while they were serving this great country of ours will know that America has not forgotten them or the sacrifice of their parent,” states Ruck.

Mr. Ruck is a frequent guest speaker to veteran support groups nationwide and he has appeared on over 200 radio and television stations promoting the causes of America’s Veterans. Amongst notable appearances, Tom has been honored to deliver keynote speeches at many of America’s national cemeteries (Jefferson Barracks, Riverside, Ft. Logan, Los Angeles, Long Island, Cypress Hills and Fort Rosecrans). This year Mr. Ruck has accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in Houston for their Memorial Day events. Among his most notable appearances he was a guest speaker at the Defender of Freedom Symposium in Washington D.C., and most recently at the Freedom Alliance West Coast Gala in Laguna Beach. Mr. Ruck was honored by the Boeing Corporation in 2010 for his achievements in supporting America’s Veterans, and Mr. Ruck has been honored by conducting an unprecedented book signing at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library 4 years in a row (2009 – 2012)

Additionally, in 2009 Mr. Ruck was presented to President Obama for consideration to the position of Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, based in Washington, DC. Mr. Ruck states that he was honored to have been considered for such a noble position honoring our veterans.

Ruck is a graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia, grew up in the St. Louis area where he was active in many volunteer and philanthropic organizations. He now resides in Southern California, serves as a Visiting Fellow to the Freedom Alliance Foundation, is a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and continues traveling the nation inspiring and honoring Veteran’s and their loved ones through his many speaking engagements.
tmr1995@aol.com – 513.218.3294

Mal Middlesworth is a Pearl Harbor Survivor. He was the National President of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association from September 2005 to December 7, 2008. He continues to stay active in the Association as he is both the editor and publisher of the Pearl Harbor Gram, a position he has held since January 2001.

Mal joined the United States Marine Corps in April 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated Boot Camp in June, 1941 and joined the Marine Detachment of the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco in October of that same year. Two months later he was involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor. That was just the start. In early 1942 he was involved in battles on Wake Island/ Midway Samoa and raids on Gilbert and Marshalls islands.
In August 1942 the USS San Francisco participated in the Guadalcanal landings, and the Battle of Cape Esperance and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.

The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal was fought in almost total darkness and the Admiral and Captain were killed. Mal was awarded a Purple Heart by Admiral Bull Halsey. To give you an idea of the ferocity of the battle the USS San Francisco was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and its troops received four Congressional Medals of Honor, 32 Navy Crosses and 21 Silver Stars. At the conclusion of the war the USS San Francisco was awarded 17 WWII Battle Stars.
In December 1943 Mal returned to San Diego and on April 1, 1944 he married his high school sweetheart JoJean Ciraulo. This year they will celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary.

The war wasn’t over so Mal went back to the South Pacific joining the 1st Division at Guadalcanal, landed at Peleliu in September of 1944, eventually transported to Saipan and stayed there until the war ended.

Mal Middlesworth is a long time resident of Upland and can been seen exercising three days a week with his wife JoJean at a local gym.

Botanical Culinary & Craft Classes

Schedule for 2013

Thursdays Under the Oak Tree

Class held in the new educational
Living History Garden
at the
Chaffey Communities Culture Center.

Address:
Chaffey Communities Culture Canter
525 West 18th St., Upland Calif.

Time:    10:00 am – 12 noon
Fee:        $20 per class paid to instructor, all materials provided

Pre-registration:    909-989-6466 Barbara
or    909-986-3226 Betty Jo

Historic Downtown Upland Saturday May 18th 2013 9am – 2pm
USA Armed Forces Day
Please bring unwrapped toys for tots

Pre-registered Car Show Entry Fee is $20.00 (per vehicle) and an unwrapped toy or $10.00 donation to Marines Toys for Tots
Download the entry and donation forms as .pdf’s below by clicking on them.
Hosted by the Classic Impressions Car Club
Click on the forms below to download.

For over 7,000 years, the Tongva had settled the Los Angeles-Orange County basin and developed a complex society of fiercely independent towns and villages with democratic governments, sophisticated arts, and rich spiritual traditions.

Their lives centered about the concept that all life is one: human, animal, plant, the spirit world, and even the world of stone and mineral. They felt a responsibility to and for the world about them. They hunted and fished carefully. They harvested foods from the land and the sea aware of the delicate balance of humans, animals, and plants. They shared with all who visited or passed through their rich world.

Yet within a single lifetime, all would be changed forever, and almost all would be gone.

In 1542 came Cabrillo and in 1602 Sebastian Vizcaino. While they passed through without settling, seeds of new diseases began to spread. In 1769 the Spaniards returned. In 1771 San Gabriel Mission was established on the site of Sibangna and an era of captive forced labor began. Tongva customs, clothing, food, language, and spiritual values would be swept aside in forced conversions.

Seven revolts from 1771 to the 1830′s shook the land but all were put down with European ferocity. The most famous revolt was that of 1785 under the leadership of Toypurina, a spiritual leader and daughter of a chief.

Disease decimated the people. Measles, influenza, tuberculosis, syphilis, and dysentery were all part of the tragedy that struck the Tongva. The traditional custom of bathing twice a day was stopped by the Church and the dietary practices were altered from the old foods to a starchy mush.

With Mexico’s independence from Spain (1823-1824), Mission lands were transformed into Mexican ranches and the Tongva were kept on as free labor without rights or liberties.

The change to American California in 1850 did nothing to improve the lives of the Tongva who were looked on as “trespassers” on their own lands.

The great rivers were dammed and altered, and the forests cut down. The herds and flocks of wild life have disappeared. Under the massive city of Los Angeles and its suburbs the world of the Tongva lies buried. Old footpaths and trade trails now are congested freeways. Only a few placenames remain.

But like their folk-hero Coyote, the Tongva survived. Like wild flowers blooming where least expected and under harsh conditions they have emerged in the later half of the 20th century as a living people with a rich culture that is part of California’s heritage.

The music and songs are still heard. The language is spoken, hesitantly and slowly, but it is heard. Tongva women gather plant materials and weave their baskets. Festivals and dance gatherings are held. Storytellers, spiritual guides, and elders beam with pride.

Despite the European incursion, we have remained an integral part of the Southern California community. Our presence is well documented. Our existence is preserved in records of the three local Catholic missions and in records of local cities and both Los Angeles and Orange Counties. A mistaken notion that we were extinct developed. But we have survived! We are here!

GOALS!

•      To be vigilant, effective guardians of our lands and ancestral remains.

•      To be wise teachers of our youth so that they will be informed and proud guardians of the ways of our ancestors.

•      To increase our efforts at cultural recovery and renewal: language, song, dance, music, basketry, story telling, ceremonial regailia, and spiritual traditions.

•      To achieve federal recognition of our People.

RECENT TONGVA COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS AND RECOGNITION

•      The Moomat Ahiko (Breath of the Sea) made its maiden voyage on September 9th, 1995 at Catalina— the first ti’at (plank canoe) built since the 1800′s.

•      Defense of Puvungna, sacred birth place of Tongva religious leader Chin-ngich-nish.

•      In the early 1990′s Kuruvungna Springs, an ancestral Tongva village and sacred site, was rededicated as ritual land and is used for ceremonial events.

•      The San Dimas Festival of Western Arts has installed a mural in San Dimas City Hall commemorating Juana Maria, the last Tongva to inhabit San Nicholas Island.

•      In 1993, San Gabriel residents voted to name their new high school “The Gabrielino High School”.

•      The “Gabrielino Trail” was designated in the upper Arroyo Seco Canyon of the San Gabriel Mountains in 1994 by The United States Forest Service.

•      The City of San Gabriel passed a resolution recognizing “the Gabrieleno-Tongva Nation as the aboriginal tribe of the Los Angeles Basin” August 24,1994,

•      The California Legislature adopted a similar resolution acknowledging its longtime relationship with the Gabrieleno/Tongva August 31,1994.

GABRIELENO / TONGVA TRIBAL COUNCILP.O. BOX 693, SAN GABRIEL, CA. 91776 (818)) 286-1632 _____________Contact Person: Anthony Morales, Tribal Chairperson_____________

The Tongva occupied the entire Los Angeles basin and the islands of Santa Catalina, San Nicholas, San Clemente, and Santa Barbara. From Topanga canyon to Laguna Beach, from the San Gabriel mountains to the sea, we lived throughout most of what is now Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The existence of our people on these ancestral lands has been unbroken since long before the first contact between the Tongva and Europeans.

The   Tongva, renamed the Gabrieleno by the Spaniards, are the original peoples of the Los Angeles Basin. Their land stretches from Malibu, known as “Ongobeangna” in Tongva, to  Balboa,  called “Mayongna”.

Their land encompasses the entire Los Angeles Basin from the Santa Monica Mountains to Redlands, known as “Kaawchamangna” They occupied the four southern Channel Islands and lived from the sea, “Momat”, to the San Gabriel Mountains or “Hidakapu” as the Tongva call the great blue mountain range. They lived in permanent villages usually along or near rivers and streams and built marvelous houses out of willows and reeds.

The Tongva arrived in the area 7000 years or so ago, and their culture was almost wiped out in 1776 with the arrival of the Spanish. The Tongva from such neighboring villages as Kukamongna, Asuksangna, Momwa-momutngna, Toibingna, Torojoat-ngna, Winiingna, Chokiishngna, and Wa’aachungna as well as many other villages, were all rounded up and taken to the village of “Sibangna” where they were used to build the San Gabriel Mission. These villages became Cucamonga, Azusa, San Dimas, Pomona, Claremont, Covina, and Santa Fe Springs, and San Bernardino. The Tongva were also used to build the adobes that can still be found throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Despite the European incursion, the Tongva have remained an integral part of the Southern California community. Their presence is well documented.  Their existence is preserved in records of the three local Catholic “Missions” and the “asistencias” and in records of local cities and of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. A mistaken notion that they are extinct developed. But they have survived! They are here!