(WW#1) Walking Through History - Remembering Pearl Harbor

Welcome to the inaugural Writer’s Wednesday. This post was meant to out earlier in the week, so my apologies…

Aloha, 

After walking through, by or next to some of its many historical sites, I wanted to share some pictures and thoughts about Dec. 7, the 70^th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

Now called Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the former Pearl Harbor Naval Base is always a hub of activity, but throughout the day last Wednesday, the energy felt muted as all over the base, ships and shore activities displayed flags at half-mast from 8 a.m. until sunset.

For me, one of many goose-bump moments occurred at 7:55 a.m., the moment when the attacks began. Looking outside my window, I heard the F-22’s from the Hawaii National Guard fly the missing-man formation over the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

70 years later, a full rainbow at the exact moment of the attacks...

While I couldn’t see the planes from several
miles away, I did see this full rainbow right above where many of the commemorative events would be held…

Signal flags flying from the USS Missouri

Interestingly, as was done following the original attack, from their outboard #2 halyard, all ships displayed a set of signal flags that included Pennant Zero, First Sub, Tango, Victor and Golf, which translated to “All Ships, Well Done,” according to information from the base’s public affairs office.

Two of the many scheduled events surrounding the 70^th anniversary, were arranged as tributes to several former sailors who had made one final request of their former boss

During the day “that will live on in infamy,” U.S. Navy divers interred the remains of Vernon Olsen, 91, of Port Charlotte, Fla. aboard the USS Arizona (BB-39).
Mr. Olsen served on the battleship that is now the tomb of more than 1,000 men who died in the attack.

A wreath stands watch over the hulk of the USS Utah

The remains of 90-year-old Lee Soucy, of Plainview, Texas, were carried December 6 by divers to the USS Utah (BB-31) a brown, hulking wreck that rests only yards from the edge of Ford Island.

Family members accompanied both men to the site of their final resting places.

In an interview with CNN, Soucy’s daughter, Mary McCormick, said, “I think it's pretty awesome that we are getting to do this.” 

Walking around the visitor center later that day, the scattering of people were outnumbered by the many stacks of folding chairs after a main ceremony that attracted thousands. It was my first visit, and to be there on the anniversary was incredibly special. Even the kids were quieter than normal.

Viewing the USS Arizona through one of its anchors

Wreaths were placed next to the dozen or so flagpoles, representing the ships destroyed or damaged in the attacks, including the USS Arizona and its memorial that sits on the other side of the harbor.

Lambert Mooder travelled from Arizona to the event and was part of the 120-strong delegation of Pearl Harbor Survivors who officially returned one last time. (Founded in 1958, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association plans to dissolve in about two weeks.)

A young sailor speaks to Lambert Mooder, a PH Survivor

Up at 4 a.m. (instead of his normal 6 a.m.) Mr. Mooder was in fine form hours after his official events were complete.

After shaking his hand, thanking him for his service, and welcoming him home, the old sailor smiled and said, with a twinkle in his eyes that he was glad to be back.

“Son, I’m just glad to still be above ground, and I thank God for that every day.”

Never Forgotten

Stray Bullet Holes on Ford Island

Historic Ford Island Control Tower (Under Renovation)

The "Mighty Mo" watches over the USS Oklahoma (BB-37)
Memorial

Why They Fought...