FALLBROOK – More than 200 “Forever Warriors”, representing 23 Fallbrook High School graduating classes (from 1936 to 1981) gathered at Live Oak Park on Sunday, Oct. 18 to celebrate each other… and take their annual “trip down memory lane.”
Adding to the nostalgia of the afternoon was the introduction of special, honored guest Mike Port, longtime resident of Fallbrook and owner of Port’s Men’s Wear in the downtown area for many years.
Port, now 97 years old, brought his family to town in 1953, when he opened the store which would become the clothing hub for young Fallbrook Warriors and their fathers, brothers, and more.
Stories were shared at the picnic of how Port supported the students and their family’s needs, teaching them responsibility by giving them charge accounts, generously added a couple of bucks to the money they had so they could make the purchase, and gave them jobs.
A second treat for the day came when members of the FUHS Marching Band performed for the crowd. The sounds of the National Anthem, Warrior fight songs, and the school’s alma mater brought the crowd to its feet with roaring cheers!
To help the band fund its upcoming trip to London, a giant jar was passed around, and much to everyone’s pleasure, when the money was counted, a total of $611 had been donated. The Fallbrook Alumni Association added to the gift with a separate donation of $300. It was a very good day for the young Warrior musicians!
The strong connection between FUHS’ “Forever Warriors” and today’s Young Warriors was incredibly evident by the pleasure shown as the lunch crowd lined up anxiously awaiting the delicious tri-tip dinner served to them by students from the FUHS Ag department, under the supervision of Scott Duffin, also an FUHS alum. The tri-tip lunch has become a tradition at the Alumni Picnic and is just one more way for the association to support the FUHS staff and students.
Finally, the long awaited Opportunity Drawing gave adventuresome guests chances to win “thanks for your support” gifts covering a gamut of wonderful prizes ranging from beautiful handcrafted jewelry, to avocados, to a “Mountain Get-away” and everything in between, even cupcakes.
As is always, the Fallbrook Alumni Association is extremely grateful to all of the merchants and individuals who so generously donated these items.
The Fallbrook Alumni Association gratefully recognizes that these folks represent the fine example set by a community of citizens which support Fallbrook High School’s present and “Forever Warriors”, a community which believes “Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior”!
Reprinted from the Fallbrook Village News