Posted on 12/07/2011 6:17:39 AM PST by Borges
HONOLULU — For more than half a century, members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association gathered here every Dec. 7 to commemorate the attack by the Japanese that drew the United States into World War II. Others stayed closer to home for more intimate regional chapter ceremonies, sharing memories of a day they still remember in searing detail.
But no more. The 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack will be the last one marked by the survivors’ association. With a concession to the reality of time — of age, of deteriorating health and death — the association will disband on Dec. 31.
“We had no choice,” said William H. Eckel, 89, who was once the director of the Fourth Division of the survivors’ association, interviewed by telephone from Texas. “Wives and family members have been trying to keep it operating, but they just can’t do it. People are winding up in nursing homes and intensive care places.”
Harry R. Kerr, the director of the Southeast chapter, said there weren’t enough survivors left to keep the organization running. “We just ran out of gas, that’s what it amounted to,” he said from his home in Atlanta, after deciding not to come this year. “We felt we ran a good course for 70 years. Fought a good fight. We have no place to recruit people anymore: Dec. 7 only happened on one day in 1941.”
The fact that this moment was inevitable has made this no less a difficult year for the survivors, some of whom are concerned that the event that defined their lives will soon be just another chapter in a history book, with no one left to go to schools and Rotary Club luncheons to offer a firsthand testimony of that day.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I WILL NEVER FORGET OR LET THOSE AROUND ME FORGET... EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LLS
Thanks. (not my daughter but my niece) They are both stunning, however. If she sends pictures I’ll post them.
I agree with what you said so well. However, I don’t care whose fault it is, the fact remains that the kids are not learning the history of our country. That is tragic if not criminal. And by the way, most if not all school administrators are ex teachers.
I would also blame the parents for allowing this, but they are also products of this same lack of education.
Your story would fit well in this discussion, thank you.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2817138/posts?page=15
Thanking God for our brave heroes!
spank
I was born right after the end of WWII so I have no first hand memories of that fateful day, but I have heard stories many, many times from my in-laws - who learned of the attack as they exited a movie theater in Denver, Colorado. Within just a short time, my father-in-law had enlisted and went on to spend the next few years in the European Theater. Today, at 94 years old, he still revels in the tales of those years. Blessing to all that served. We shall NEVER forget.
I was born right after the end of WWII so I have no first hand memories of that fateful day, but I have heard stories many, many times from my in-laws - who learned of the attack as they exited a movie theater in Denver, Colorado. Within just a short time, my father-in-law had enlisted and went on to spend the next few years in the European Theater. Today, at 94 years old, he still revels in the tales of those years. Blessing to all that served. We shall NEVER forget.
Apologies for the double post.....Bush’s fault.
Rest easy, old timers. Those of us in Freeperdom will never let December 7, 1941 pass without marking the historical event on our forum.....and we will faithfully honor each of you with loving testimonial for your heroic service.
Leni
They also ignored our subs. They did not consider them a threat. Not wise they lost their first ship to a sub, and a lot after that despite some rough starts.
They made a major error in having their subs concentrate on U.S. warships. Like the Germans, we concentrated on their Maritime fleet, the lifeblood of an island nation.
I served on a WWII boat in the '50s (USS Cobia (SS245)). At that time she still had a dent in her hull from where a sampan rammed her and on the forward 40MM, a bullet hole in the chute that ejected the empty shell casing. The log said a quartermaster was killed in these surface actions. That was about all that was left by 1945 - fishing boats and armed junks trying to stave us off.
I served on a WWII boat in the ‘50s (USS Cobia (SS245)). At that time she still had a dent in her hull from where a sampan rammed her and on the forward 40MM, a bullet hole in the chute that ejected the empty shell casing. The log said a quartermaster was killed in these surface actions. That was about all that was left by 1945 - fishing boats and armed junks trying to stave us off.
I have been trying to get up to see the Cobia for some time. It must be nice to know that your boat is still around, not many guys can say that. I attend the reunions for the SSN 583 Sargo. One member of SS 188 Sargo came last time. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to fight one of those old boats. You guys have my utmost admiration.
They have a pretty nice setup there. Other Great Lakes maritime stuff as well inside the museum.
I tripped out when I went on board - same old diesel smell brought back TONS of memories. If you get to visit, check out the JT sonar "room" in the forward torpedo room. A large hand-cranked wheel to turn the "T" head topside and just enough room to slide in sideways.
My bunk was the highest on the port side in the forward room, just behind the bowplane motor. Sometimes the guys depressed the planes until they hit the stops, which resulted in a bright blue flash. It didn't happen often but it sure got your attention.
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