Carl Anderson

Life Story of Carl J. Anderson, as told by Carl himself at the age of 95.
It all started 95 years ago on March 9th, 1926. I was born to Carl A. and Edith Anderson. I had two older sisters, Margaret and Ruth and we lived at 235 52nd Street in Los Angeles, California. I remember my Dad, as a member of the American Legion, was gone for 4 days in March of 1933 because of the devastating earthquake in Southern California which caused a lot of damage, deaths and injuries.
I attended Main Street Grammar School, John Adams Junior High School and Manual Arts High School, where I majored in printing and graduated in February, 1944.
Upon graduating from Manual Arts, I joined the Navy as we were in World War II. I attended boot camp in San Diego and was sent to Radio School to become a radioman.
In an unfortunate diving accident, I fractured my neck in 2 places and spent the next 8 months in a Naval Hospital in a body cast from the neck to my waist, although still mobile. Upon the removal of the cast and rehab, I was sent back to active duty and assigned to the U.S.S. Obstructor, a mine layer, as a Radioman.
The Mighty O, as we called it, sailed from San Diego to Pearl Harbor, Eniwitok, Bikini, Saipan, Guam and we were on our way into the Philippines and Leyte Gulf when the war ended.
The Mighty O was made the Flagship of a Mine Sweep Squadron and proceeded to China, based in Hong Kong, where we spent the next year mine-sweeping the Coast of China and acting as a burial party. We returned home from Shanghai in July of 1946 flying the Victory Flag, which I still have a piece of.
Upon my discharge, I went to work for General Electric Co., although I wanted to get into the printing field, which I did, going to work for Olive Leaf Press and then Allen-Roberts Printing Co. until they closed their doors. Then I did a short stint with Alexander Stationers and finally Kellow-Brown Co. as a salesman, one of the largest and oldest Printing Companies in Los Angeles. I became a Partner, the Sales Staff bought the Company from the Kellow family.
Rosalie and I were born in the same Hospital in Los Angeles and attended the same High School, although we did not meet until after I was discharged from the Navy.
Rosalie and I were married on Valentine's Day in 1953 and have been blessed with 4 children, John, Greg, Carla and Karen; 3 Granddaughters, Stacy, Aubrey and Margaret Rose; 2 Great Grandsons, Noah and Jonas and Nieces and Nephews, Bob, Jamie, Mindy, Dana, David, Richard, Jamie (1) and quite an extended family, too many to mention.
Rosalie passed away in December of 2018 at 92 years of age and 65 years of marriage.
Rosalie and I became very active in the Dog World, breeding and showing Cocker Spaniels, AKC Licensed Handler and AKC Approved Judges.
We became Life-Members of the American Spaniel Club of Southern California and Ventura County Dog Fanciers. Rosalie and I have served all the Clubs on their Boards and as Presidents.
As Judges we were very fortunate to have traveled and Judged in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Japan, Canada and the Continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.
So, today, at 95 I count my blessings!
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Rosalie and Carl's Travels:
Outside the United States:
Mexico, British Columbia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa (Safari), Corregidor, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Ireland, England, Russia, Finland, Portugal, The Caribbean, The Bahamas, Tahiti, and 8 Cruises to various locations.
Within the United States:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Washington D.C., (White House), Wisconsin, Wyoming
Mexico - Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Taxco, Mexico City
Canada - Niagara Falls, Edmonton, Banf, Lake Louise, Calgary
Caribbean - Puerto Rico, St. Marteen, Barbados, Grenada, Curacao, Jamaica,
Tahiti - Papeete, Bora Bora, Moorea
British Colombia - Vancouver Island, Victoria, Bouchard Gardens, Campbell River
Denmark - Tivoli Gardens, Lego Land