Two Stroke Motocross
Two Stroke Motocross Forum => Open Forum => Topic started by: TxTechRedRider on December 12, 2010, 06:17:28 PM
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December 7th, 1941 - December 7, 2010
I wanted to share some thoughts and a recent experience with you guys and gals that I was fortunate to have a chance at, just a few days ago. On Tuesday morning the 7th of December, just a few days ago, my Mother and I visited the newly remodeled/renovated and new Pearl Harbor Visitor Center on the island Oahu, Hawaii.
As many of you may know or not know there is visitorā??s center, a theater, a real wartime submarine, the battle ship USS Missouri, a pacific theater museum, and of course the USS Arizona memorial. A person can visit and go through portions of or all these exhibits. I am probably leaving some areas out as I didnā??t have the time to visit them all, unfortunately, but I assure you if given the chance to, I would take more time and visit again.
My Momā??s dad, Stanley Ritchie served in the European theater and my step-Grandad, Raymond Campbell served in the Pacific theater(both are now deceased). I was fortunate to be able to discuss with Grandad Stanley about his paratroop experiences into Sicily so I got to appreciate what he went through in war.
So I digress a moment, it is my opinion that this facility(s) is a fantastic tribute to our elders who served, and also gave their lives on that infamous day. As always, with any building there could be a little of this or that added or not added to the facility, but I was proud of the whole facility regardless. That morning as we arrived, they had just finished the facility commemorating ceremonies and also the Pearl Harbor survivors reunion, of which this was the 69th anniversary.
As we approached the line to wait for our chance to board the small boat over to the USS Arizona memorial, we overheard applause. The applause was for the Pearl Harbor survivor service men. They were allowed to board and leave the boats before everyone else and rightfully so, we in our line also applauded these older gentlemen in respect and tribute. Even the active service men and women would salute these these veterans.
The USS Arizona memorial is a great tribute to those men who were on the ship and died that morning when she sank. On one end is the names of those that died and throughout the memorial which is above the ship, you can view the ship below and reflect on that terrible day and appreciate those men, many who are still entombed there. They have two baskets on a table, one is full of name cards and the other with flowers. You may select at random a name and a flower, silently reflect, say a prayer if you wish and toss the flower overboard in remembrance of that person.
It was like that all day, people would applaud when these guys would walk or be wheeled by. I actually found as many as I could and polite fully and respectfully shook each ones hand and thanked them for their service to our country. And you know what, they in turn returned and acknowledged me with ā??your welcome sonā?. There are just so many of these gentlemen still around and many are passing away from a life time of living each day. This was the last organized Pearl Harbor Survivors reunion, although its rumored that as many can physically make it, will gather again next year for the 70th.
I have to say that it was a somber, sad, happy and prideful experience visiting this new center. I think that you too, would be prideful of this place. If you know of any of these men from World War Two or other wars, service men and now women also, please let them know we appreciate their service, I know I do.
Todd