Thank you to those who sacrificed for us.

[FirefightnRick]

I read in this morning's Startlegram about NT's Oral History project and their efforts to get those who were there that morning at Pearl recorded. Thank you to those at North Texas who have taken such an interest in our history by getting this done. This is another reason I feel our new stadium should be named a "Memorial" of some kind to honor those from NT who fought for our freedoms we enjoy today.

Also, the paper states that the D Day museum reopened last saturday and is now open 5 days a week. Say's there was between $200,000 and $300,000 worth of damage by looters, but mostly to the gift and coffee shop inside. The museum did not flood by the way. Said all exhibits are now opened. A trip to the D Day museum is worth the trip alone to N.O. if you ever get the chance to go back.

To those who sacrificed for our freedom, then and now, we will never forget you. God Bless.

Rick

Edited December 7, 2005 by FirefightnRick

[Coach]

The D-Day museum was awesome. I'm glad to hear it wasn't too damaged in the hurricane. We took some students to a nearby school a couple of weeks ago to see a traveling Anne Frank exhibit. It was an eye-opening experience for most of the students.

I too would like to thank all of our veterans and those currently serving.

[eulesseagle]

One of my best friends lives next door to a sailor who was blown off the U.S.S. Arizona on the first blast. Really nice guy, very humble and patriotic.

[untgirl04]

I've been down to visit Pearl Harbor. A very sobering sight. My thoughts and prayers with families of those who lost their loved ones so long ago. And my thoughts with those currently protecting us both here and away.

[PlummMeanGreen]

Had an opportunity to take a tourist boat excursion into Pearl Harbor back in the 70's when I briefly lived in Honolulu. There was a live commentary on the tourist boat as we entered the harbor where (as I recall) a Japanese mini-submarine was sunk before the actual surpise attack took place.

The tourist boat excursion was full of many races of all ages, and there was not a dry eye once we were about half way thru the boat tour as we circled Ford Island (in the middle of Pearl Harbor) and looked at all the carnage still under-water.

The Arizona was the focus point of this boat excursion. I still recall seeing drops of oil that was still seeping from the U.S.S Arizona to the water's surface.

My Houston area family also had an acquaintance killed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Many of us were not born till much later, but many times haven't we all wished our great nation today could bond and come together like she did after what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called "a Day that will live in Infamy?"

GOD BLESS AMERICA & Veterans of All Wars and Those During Times of Peace...

[MeanGreen61]

Contrary to popular belief, the USS Arizona is no longer in commission. As a special tribute to the ship and her lost crew, the United States flag flies from the flagpole, which is attached to the severed mainmast of the sunken battleship.

[KingDL1]

My parents along with my grandparents took me to the USS Arizona on two separate visits to Oahu. It left me in total awe as a child on both occasions.

Dick Padgett worked with my Grandfather at the family airport in the Catskills in NY and still flies the tow planes to this day. He is about to or just did turn 80 and he looks and acts like a man in his early 60s. It says a lot that he still has his commercial flight physical. I grew up with his son who is a year younger than me and was able to hear Dick tell all his war stories. (Which is a real treat, he tells them in old story teller fashion that we seem to have lost in newer generations probably to much TV).He flew B-17s over Germany for two separate tours of duty. He was shot down three times and escaped all three times, with the help of different under ground communities. The point of the ramblings is it was a massive war and knowing him and going to the USS Arizona really puts it into perspective for me.

[MeanGreen61]

"Young men fight wars because of the politics of old men".

In the early 50's we escorted a mine sweeper from Pearl to Japan that had been given to the JDF (Japanese Defense Forces). While at Midway Island so the sweep could refuel, Japanese officers joined our officers at the base O club. Two junior officers were on the sweep as interpretors because they spoke english. Found out that the remaining crew were all formerly in the Japanese Imperial Navy during WWII. Just a few years later dining at the same table. (3 of our 5 officers along with our chiefs and several senior PO's were also WWII vets).

Edited December 7, 2005 by MeanGreen61

[NM Green]

Plumm,

You were at the Arizona in the 70's and my first trip to the sunken tomb was 2003. To this day the oil droplets still rise to the surface.

It is definitely one of the most powerful and moving places in our country. Its other rival Ground Zero. I would also love to see the Memorial in OKC one day.

GMG

[untbowler]

Plumm,

You were at the Arizona in the 70's and my first trip to the sunken tomb was 2003.  To this day the oil droplets still rise to the surface. 

It is definitely one of the most powerful and moving places in our country.  Its other rival Ground Zero.  I would also love to see the Memorial in OKC one day.

GMG

←

Want to see the Arizona and Ground Zero

Have been to OKC Memorial and it is very sobering, make sure you visit the Survivor Tree and the museum, well worth your time.

[PlummMeanGreen]

Plumm,

You were at the Arizona in the 70's and my first trip to the sunken tomb was 2003.  To this day the oil droplets still rise to the surface. 

It is definitely one of the most powerful and moving places in our country.  Its other rival Ground Zero.  I would also love to see the Memorial in OKC one day.

GMG

←

NMG, that amazed me back then with the U.S.S. Arizona oil drops rising to the surface of the water after all those years and now what you have posted about your seeing the same in 2003 amazes me even more.

Several military divers were killed because of all the sharp metal they encountered in their dive as they were trying to get our guys in the sunken battleship.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Edited December 8, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen

[gksmith]

Been to Arizona memorial. Very Moving.

As for the oral history, I have a relative (second or third cousin, something like that) who was a ships mechanic during WW II. He was at Pearl on that day. He gave an oral history for the University. That history is not just the high profile people in the war. The oral history includes a man who spent his years in the US Navy in the bowls of the ship or other "enlisted personnel" jobs. He came from a small farm in west Texas, served his time, went back to that same farm afterwards.

He passed away earlier this year.

[SilverEagle]

Want to see the Arizona and Ground Zero

Have been to OKC Memorial and it is very sobering, make sure you visit the Survivor Tree and the museum, well worth your time.

←

By "ground zero" do you mean the "Trinity site" in New Mexico? If so, you can only go there two times a year. It's open to the public one Saturday in April, and one Saturday in October. The entrance is located out in the middle of nowhere between Socorro and Carrizozo NM.

[untbowler]

By "ground zero" do you mean the "Trinity site" in New Mexico?  If so, you can only go there two times a year. It's open to the public one Saturday in April, and one Saturday in October.  The entrance is located out in the middle of nowhere between Socorro and Carrizozo NM.

←

NYC guess 9/11 Memorial would be more apprpriate.

[untangel4]

My grandfather was at Pearl Harbor during that fateful attack. He was a career marine and also went to Korea and Vietnam. He unfortunately passed away of a heart attack when I was 3. He had retired from the Marines, and was a teacher/principal of Longview High School.

I have always wished that I had gotten to know him better and to hear some of his stories. He was a good man, who did a lot for this country.

I appreciate everything that he and others have done for us... past, present, and future.