m
Above and below right: USMS in front of El
Encanto
Photo courtesy of Catalina Island Holiday Tour
Exhibition "First Line
of Defense" ' opens
Dec. 7
COURTESY OF THE CATALINA
ISLAND MUSEUM
Few people realize the impor-
tant role Catalina Island played in
the defense of our nation during Forces," said John Boraggina, the
World War II. "First Line of De- Catalina Island Museum's curator.
fense: Catalina Island and World "This exhibition will bring to life
War II" will explore how Cata- the struggles and sacrifices of citi-
lina Island was transformed from zens and servicemen as they pre-
a carefree paradise into a Federal pared for war on the 'magic isle.'"
Military~ Zone used for training, On Dec. 7, 1941 the most dev-
coastal defense, and covert opera- astating attack in United States
tions, history occurred at Pearl Harbor.
The exhibit will open on Fri- Instantly the country was thrust
day, Dec. 7, the anniversary of the into the Second World War. Cata-
attack on Pearl Harbor. lina Island was at the height of its
Derived from the Catalina Is- ~ golden age, bursting at the seams
land Museum's own extensive ar- with premier entertainment and a
chive, the exhibition will feature wealth of activities that attracted
letters, photographs, rare film visitors from around the globe.
footage of training exercises, top- The effects of the day that
secret weapons and recently de- Would "live in infamy" quickly
classified military documents, rippled across the Pacific to the~
"The activities that took place sun-kissed beaches of Catalina
on Catalina Island during World Island, destroying its carefree in-
War II helped turn the tide against nocence. Citizens and the military
the Axis powers. The OSS train- feared that if Catalina Island were
ing which took place at Toyon Bay captured, the west coast of the
and Howland's Landing paved United States would be in peril.
the way for what we know today Tourist travel to the Island was
as the CIA and America's Special almost immediately halted. With-
in two weeks, the United States
Coast Guard ordered regularly
scheduled steamship passenger
service to cease.
The U.S. government declared
Catalina Island a Federal Military
Zone and designated the San Pe-
dro Channel a controlled area for
vessels. During the war years, the
Island provided isolated locations
for a top-secret radar facility that
defended Southern California and
a training ground for the world's
most covert organization, the Of-
Top: Swimming through fire exercise. Above: USMS
rice of Strategic Services.
"First Line of Defense" will run
from Dec. 7, 2012 through April
28, 2013 and can only be viewed at
the Catalina Island Museum. The
anti:aircraft guns on Catalina.
Photo courtesy of Catalina Island Museum
museum will hold an opening re-
ception for "First Line of Defense:
Catalina Island and World War II"
from 6-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7.
Tickets are free for members of
WINTER ISLANDER SPECIAL
$40 MONTHLY- c=asses) •
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• 1OO Falls Canyon Road
Catallrla-. > - PC~Box 1563, Avalon 90704
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Island. 1edlc al Center
A destination for patient-centered excellence and health enrichment.
THE OATAUNA ISLANDER November 30, 2012 i g
