"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
In memoriam
Today is the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, that dreadful day that would "live in infamy."
Deborah Leigh said... God bless all those who served, and remain at an everlasting post for their service. May they rest in honored peace.
Spending part of my youth in Honolulu as the daughter of a career Navy man stationed at Pearl Harbor brought several solem and reflective visits to the USS Arizona, and tours around the harbor passing the USS Utah. Seeing the names inscribed on the wall of those entombed, and looking out past the memorials to the beauty of the harbor, one finds it hard to imagine how the carnage was possible. Surreal.
Hubby was stationed at Kaneohe for 3 years. We visited the USS Arizona Memorial at least 4 times during those years, certainly every time someone came to visit. Standing next to the tower on Ford Island was haunting, too.
Here's a link that shows some of the destruction aboard NAS Kaneohe Bay that day: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/ph-kan.htm
Here's a link to more info about Chief Finn: http://www.homeofheroes.com/pearlharbor/pearl_2finn.html
I had an uncle in the Navy in Honolulu that day. His stories were interesting, especially about how hard it was for people to believe it was actually happening.
Like so many that day, he was far from his ship and by the time he got back the attack was over.
I'm trying to figure out what President Jugears would say about such an event today. I'll be nothing like "a date that shall live in infamy." More like, "well, we deserved that."
What a touching story.
ReplyDeleteDeborah Leigh said... God bless all those who served, and remain at an everlasting post for their service. May they rest in honored peace.
ReplyDeleteSpending part of my youth in Honolulu as the daughter of a career Navy man stationed at Pearl Harbor brought several solem and reflective visits to the USS Arizona, and tours around the harbor passing the USS Utah. Seeing the names inscribed on the wall of those entombed, and looking out past the memorials to the beauty of the harbor, one finds it hard to imagine how the carnage was possible. Surreal.
Hubby was stationed at Kaneohe for 3 years. We visited the USS Arizona Memorial at least 4 times during those years, certainly every time someone came to visit. Standing next to the tower on Ford Island was haunting, too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.airfields-freeman.com/HI/Airfields_HI_Oahu_S.htm#ford
Here's a link that shows some of the destruction aboard NAS Kaneohe Bay that day:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/ph-kan.htm
Here's a link to more info about Chief Finn:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/pearlharbor/pearl_2finn.html
I had an uncle in the Navy in Honolulu that day. His stories were interesting, especially about how hard it was for people to believe it was actually happening.
ReplyDeleteLike so many that day, he was far from his ship and by the time he got back the attack was over.
I'm trying to figure out what President Jugears would say about such an event today. I'll be nothing like "a date that shall live in infamy." More like, "well, we deserved that."
More like "I surrender!", Jorg.
ReplyDeleteI spent 6 months TDY at Hickam in the 70's.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was sweet. Oahu, and Honolulu, but still nicer than Minot, ND. Trust me.
Especially as I was doing SOSUS stuff, and worked inside a vault, which had to be opened from the inside.
More like "I surrender!", Jorg.
ReplyDelete