BURGER VETERAN RETIRING : MILITARY DECOR SET CHUCK'S PLACE APART.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

For almost a decade, Chuck Bresler has made his restaurant a lesson in history for those simply ordering a burger and shake to go.

Those who walk into the USS Chuckburger for the first time are usually overwhelmed by the WWII ship models hanging from the ceiling, posters of wartime movies, military helmets and unit insignias that crowd the walls.

His restaurant also has been a haven for retired vets seeking a place to grab a good burger and talk shop.

But at the end of this month, the USS Chuckburger will reel in its anchor so Bresler can retire.

``I feel sad and I'll miss it,'' said Bresler, 76, a former naval airman. ``But as long as I've been doing this, I've had no time to do other things. It's now time for me to enjoy myself.''

On Sept. 30, Bresler will pack up the ship models, military academy hats and authentic army and navy jackets in the restaurant so he and his wife, Violet, can travel the world.

``For the last three years, she's been saying, `retire. retire. retire,' '' said Bresler, who married Violet in 1948. ``She wants to see the world. And she wants me to go with her.''

The idea for USS Chuckburger sparked in 1984 when Bresler was looking for a theme to open a second restaurant after 20 years' success operating The Chuckburger in Canoga Park. That's when his daughter, proud of her dad's Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medal awards, suggested the 1940s ambience for the USS Chuckburger.

Since the restaurant opened in 1987 on Los Angeles Avenue and Stearns Street, Bresler's collection has grown.

Which makes packing it up all the more difficult.

There's dozens of model planes, black and white photographs, bomber jackets and American flags that need to be sorted.

Most of his 1940s memorabilia - collected and donated over the years - will be given to the Confederate Air Force in Camarillo, where it will later be put on public display. The rest Bresler is donating to his American Legion post in Woodland Hills.

Bresler is only taking with him the few items closest to his heart - his Distinguished Flying Cross awarded in 1947, his framed letter from Harry S. Truman and a picture of Betty Grable.

Bresler's retirement calendar is already filled with a trip to Boston for a squadron reunion, where he hopes to see most of the 11 crew members he befriended while stationed on Tinian in the Mariana Islands in the south Pacific.

Afterward, the couple will take a trip to Laughlin, Nev., to see one of Bresler's old radio squadron buddies. They are also planning a vacation to the central Pacific, where Bresler wants to revisit his original squadron days on Tinian Island.

Though he will miss serving up World War II memories, Bresler believes his retirement came at a perfect time.

``I'm 76, and been at this for over 40 years,'' Bresler said. ``That's enough time.''

Cleon Zeider, a regular for five years, was disappointed to hear that USS Chuckburger was closing.

Zeider, who worked on the B-17, B-29 and F-4 planes between World War I and World War II, has eaten at the restaurant at least twice a week since he moved to Simi Valley in 1991.

``I like all the stuff on the ceiling,'' said Zeider, 80, looking at the model planes dangling above his red, white and blue booth. ``A lot of it I worked on years ago.''

As he sat alone in the restaurant Tuesday, reading his military magazine and finishing his hamburger, Zeider said the USS Chuckburger gave him a quiet place to relax and enjoy his meal.

``It's not an in-and-out kind of place like McDonald's, where people are traveling through all the time,'' he said. ``Here, I see these things, and it's nice to remember.''

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--color) Owner Chuck Bresler expects to miss US S Chuckburger after he retires this month, but says it's time for him and his wife to travel.

(2) The WWII veteran decided on a military theme for his restaurant when he opened 10 years ago and has added to his collection.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News