Remembering Pearl Harbor

[EPC Guy]

Yesterday, a friend of mine who is a Chief Petty Officer stationed here in Hawaii, offered to take me on an "insiders" tour of Oahu. When she picked me up at the hotel and asked where I wanted to go first, I immediately said that I'd like to go to the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor. I'd been on the visitors tour of the U.S.S. Arizona before - but I told her I'd like to see the REAL Pearl Harbor - the stuff that most non-military folks don't get to see.

"Not a problem", she said - so off we went.

As it turned out, the N.A.S. at Pearl, was the only stop we made. We began by driving along the road where all the ships were docked. There were no carriers in port - but one or two battleships and several frigates were in port - and I enjoyed a close-up view of all of them.

Next, we visited the memorial site of the U.S.S. Utah. It was very quiet with a gentle breeze blowing the flag on the small pier that is the memorial. Just a few feet from the edge of the pier is the remains of the Utah. The Utah exploded when struck by aerial torpedoes and then rolled, so the remains of the ship that are visible above water is where the superstructure of the battleship was once attached. As we stood there looking at what is literally a visible tomb, it was very easy to imagine the scene during the attack. I took off my ball cap and said a prayer for the souls who are still inside.

We then drove over to Ford Island to visit, what in 1941, was the airfield for the base. The original runway is now overgrown with grass and looks like a huge open field. I was amazed that the original flight operations building and tower are still standing - with no repairs since the day of the attack. The red and white striped tower is rusted, with the glass blown out from machine gun fire - and bullet holes are clearly visible everywhere. A large hanger is still standing; with windows missing and others with clearly recognizable bullet holes from strafing runs by the Japanese Zeroes.

Walking along what was once a flight line, large dents and cracks can still be seen - caused by bomb blasts - still visible as a reminder of the cowardly attack. I felt extreme anger and extreme sorrow all rolled-up together at the loss of so many young men and women.

Another hanger (Hangar 37) next to the flight operations building and tower has been renovated and is now known as the Pacific Aviation Museum - Pearl Harbor. Inside are several restored aircraft from the time surrounding the attack: a B-25B (from Dolittle's Raid), an F4F-3 Wildcat, a Japanese Zero - and a real cool Stearman Trainer that was actually used by George Bush Sr. on his first solo flight (the log book is on display).

As an airplane buff - I enjoyed the museum immensely. On the way out the gift shop was selling sets of three 1943 steel pennies (uncirculated with P, D and S mint marks) for museum expansion funding. I, of course, had to buy a set!

After leaving the museum, Sydney (my friend) said, "I have one more really cool thing to show you". We proceeded to drive to the officers housing area of the island (the NICE area where Captains and Commanders live) and pulled into a shaded grove area where I could see a small path. I walked down the path, and saw that it opened up at water's edge (the main channel) and right in front of me (it seemed like I could reach out and touch it) was the U.S.S. Arizona memorial. Again, it was SO quiet - the feeling was like being in a church - and as I looked down and read the small brass plaque that was set into a small white pillar - I'm not ashamed to say that I had tears in my eyes. I looked over at Sydney who simply said, "you're not the first".

I'll never forget this trip - and even though all these terrible things happened a whole generation before me (truly, the greatest generation)- I'll never forget Pearl Harbor.

[Trinasangels]

Oh I bet that was sooo wonderful to see! what a nice friend you have.
We went to hawaii a couple years ago and went and visited Pearl Harbor it was amazing. I balled like a baby . Me Dh and the kids made sure to say our thanks while we was there and got on our knees and prayed for the families that are still misisng their loved ones.

[MinelabMan]

What an awesome tour you got to take, never been there but seen plenty of documentarys on it, none of which would bring the strong emotions as being there.

You'll always remember Pearl Harbor because you're a good Ameican, as we all should, but sadly, so many have already forgotten 9/11.

Glad you got to go!

[RobbieD]

Wow; what a truly incredible experience. Thank you so much for sharing something so rare and special. That generation, truly saved the world for all of us, and I've always been in awe of all who lived through those trying times.

[Buster]

Wow Shawn..That must have been a good tour...Truly a great experience.I for one would like to see that one day... I am glad you got to see all of that and I think you will remember that tour for a long time...Very good post, thanks...Buster...

[EBCIII]

Thanks for the tour Shawn! I felt like I was there with you. Your friend did a great thing for you. I would like to see this myself. Thanks again, Beale.

[creekrat]

shed in that harbor,Place like that will make you umble,good that your friend took you there,The West Virginia is laying there also...creek

['E']

What an amazing experience Shawn, that is something you'll carry with you for the rest of your life, thank you so much for sharing that with us, I would love to visit that one day myself.

[Cash1977]

Sounds like it was a great experience!
I visited Pearl Harbor when I was 16 and I appreciated it then. I would have loved to see what you saw.

(My Grandfather served in WWII, he gave me one of his dog tags when he was still alive and I got his Purple Heart and Bronze Star when he passed on. All three are some of my most prized possesions.)

Do you have any pics?

[space_weaseal]

Thank you for the story.
I regret not seing PH while i was working in the Islands (6mo). Everyone that i know that has seen it is very moved by the experiance...