Dec 7, 2011 - Pearl Harbor Remembered

Today is the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. How quickly people forget. This will be the last official meeting of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association due to the advancced age of the members.

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world...y-1253172.html

I wasn't born until 15 years after Pearl Harbor, but I'll never forget.

My Dad was in WWII, (Philippines and numerous other islands), Korea, and the first minutes of Vietnam. He was one of only two survivors of his company. He's got two purple hearts. Also, a bronze star for single handedly taking out a "Jap" machine gun nest that had pinned down hundreds of his fellow soldiers. He has amazing, jaw dropping stories about his experiences.

It certainly affected him as the recent Great Quake of Japan brought the comment from him, "There is a God after all".

Anyway, bitter memories and all, those folks did amazing things we're seriously indebted to them for.

I knew the date and will probably always remember it, but I hadn't done the math and realized it was the 70th anniversary this year. I'm surprised there wasn't more about it in the media. This thread was the first commemoration I saw.

Our national news and radio documentary features had quite a bit about it including interviews with survivors and I so admire them for keeping the spirit of the victims alive, as well as wearing those gorgeous shirts.

If I had a hat, I should take it off to them all. Such heroes.

I think I've told the story about one of my dad's friends, a fellow WW II vet of the Pacific Theater.

After the war, for as long as he lived, this fellow would go to a Japanese restaurant on Dec. 7 and consume an enormous meal and as many drinks as he could, then he would beat the check.

Wasn't Pearl Harbor the woman from the Grand Ole Opry who wore the hat with the price tag still on it?

No, that was Pearl Bailey.

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot I think I've told the story about one of my dad's friends, a fellow WW II vet of the Pacific Theater. After the war, for as long as he lived, this fellow would go to a Japanese restaurant on Dec. 7 and consume an enormous meal and as many drinks as he could, then he would beat the check.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus You would think they would recognize him after a few years.

momwolf lived in Hawaii in the early 1950s, before statehood. She was married at the base chapel at Pearl. dadwolf was in the Air Force, part of the team that sampled and tested clouds for radioactivity to keep up on what the damn Russkies were up to.

momwolf said that the Arizona was still actively leaking oil in the harbor.

It's interesting how you separate your parents like that, wolf. "She was married at the base chapel..."