Free Republic

Good morning all from Pearl Harbor, where the 82d anniversary ceremony has just concluded. It’s a beautiful morning here, just as it was that terrible Sunday when the attack began at 7:55 a.m. A moving ceremony, with all branches of the services represented, a fly by with missing man formation, and the guided missile destroyer USS Decatur passed in review and rendered honors. Six Pearl Harbor survivors were in attendance and honored this morning. Unfortunately, my friend Lou Conter, last survivor of the USS Arizona, aged 102, was not able to attend, though his grand nephew, Ray Hower, delivered stirring...

Our Friends frequently write here about the loss of their dogs. I hope I’ve been sufficiently sympathetic as I’ve seen the loss of my own Lucy approaching. Now Lucy is gone after 14 years, and the pain is overwhelming to us. There are so-called experts who suggest that dogs don’t have the emotional capacity to be genuinely attached to people; that they have only a conditioned response to being fed and treated well. I think this is nonsense. Our dogs obviously have genuine emotional attachment to us. My Lucy wanted to be best friends with everyone she met because. She...

By way of comic relief for Christmas, I present a video tour of my offbeat Christmas village. Some may remember last year’s offering. This is all new. Merry Christmas, FRiends. We can hit the trenches of Liberty again tomorrow https://youtu.be/tnFiX2X2W_U

My friend Lou Conter was on the deck of the USS Arizona when the Japanese attacked on December 7. Today he’s one of two remaining survivors of the Arizona. I’m please to report he’s still well at 101. I visited him a few weeks ago, and will see this great man again this weekend. Since 2017 I’ve posted here each year my son’s 2017 Eagle Scout Project video biography of Mr Conter. In honor of him and all those who fell, and those who lived to fight on to victory, I present it again now. https://youtu.be/T_L0kWTqPiA

FRiends, in these troubled times, my Christmas gift to you is a bit of a break, this video “tour” of my Christmas village, “Christmastown-by-the-Sea.” Just wacky, over the top, and non-political. I cherish you guys. Enjoy. Merry Christmas. https://youtu.be/TuGJuHxyuMM

80 years after the day that will live in infamy, let’s remember the men who lost their lives on the USS Arizona. I’m so privileged that one of the two remaining Arizona survivors, Lt. Cmdr. Lou Conter (Ret.) has become a dear friend. I attended his 100th birthday celebration in September, and visited him recently. He’s doing great, but the rigors of traveling to Hawaii and attendance at the public observances would be a bit much. As I do every Pearl Harbor Day, I offer my son’s 2017 Eagle Scout project video biography of Mr Conter. https://youtu.be/T_L0kWTqPiA

DATELINE GRASS VALLEY, CA: Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter, USN (Ret.) celebrated his 100th birthday here in Grass Valley today. About 150 family, friends, military, law enforcement, and public officials were in attendance for the tribute to this great American. Mr Conter was on duty on the deck of the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. He is one of only two survivors of the Arizona today. He went on to become a naval aviator and was shot down twice in his intrepid service in the South Pacific. He spent 35 years in the US Navy, working in intelligence and developing...

Those who have joined us in recent years have been spared something on this forum that was all too common for all too long: the dreaded “opus.” Sometimes shrill, sometimes plaintive, often quite lengthy, these were vanity posts explaining why the member was leaving FR. For the life of me I could never figure out why we were treated to these narcissistic rambles. Well, today I am 20 years on Free Republic, and this is my “no-pus,” because I’m not going anywhere. Thank you to my brothers and sisters in the fight for liberty for keeping company for two decades....

FRiends, a year ago at this hour I was reporting live from the Remembrance Day observances at Pearl Harbor. This year... well... you know. But let’s take a moment to remember the tragedy and the courage that unfolded at Pearl Harbor 79 years ago today, and the triumph that ultimately ensued. As I do every year, I offer for your viewing my son’s 2017 Eagle Scout project video biography of USS Arizona survivor Lou Conter. Now there are only two. I’m happy to report our friend Mr Conter is hale and hearty and recently celebrated his 99th birthday. He vows...

DATELINE GRASS VALLEY, CA: Lou Conter, one of two remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941, celebrated his 99th birthday in this Sierra Nevada town today. Unable to hold a party due to COVID, the family asked friends to organize a surprise parade to drive by his bungalow at the Eskaton facility here. When law enforcement learned of the plans they enthusiastically joined in. The parade was led by about a dozen units of the California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire, and Nevada County Sheriff. About two dozen cars participated. Scouting is particularly close...

0700 HST: Several thousands gathered before dawn this morning at the Pearl Harbor visitors center to attend this morning’s 78th anniversary of the “Day that will live in infamy.” Security is tight in light of the shootings here and at Pensacola this week. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt will represent the President and deliver the key note speech in ceremonies slated to begin at 750, the hour of the attack. We’re privileged to be attending with Arizona survivor Lou Conter. The picture below shows the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri at dawn. I’m summoned to go visit with...

I was tremendously privileged today to accompany USS Arizona survivor and PBY bomber pilot Lt.Cdr. Lou Conter (Ret.), along with about 30 family and friends, on a private tour of the Arizona Memorial. Mr. Conter, 98, is the only one of three remaining Arizona survivors able to travel to Pearl Harbor for the 78th anniversary observances on the 7th. This American hero, shot down twice, went on to a 35 year career in the Navy. As kindly a gentleman as one could meet, within this man is the heart of a lion. For his Eagle Scout project my son made...

Mr Lou Conter was on duty on the deck of the USS Arizona when the Japanese attacked on December 7. He took part in the fruitless search and rescue efforts. Later he flew PBY “Black Cat” bombers in the Pacific theater. Two years ago my son made a documentary of Mr Conters experiences for his Eagle Scout project. Mr Conter has become a dear friend and we try to get out to see him every 6 or 8 weeks, though he lives some distance away. To meet him you’d think he’s the nicest guy on the planet, not knowing that...

As we remember Pearl Harbor Day I we want to invite everyone to view a documentary of USS Arizona survivor and subsequent bomber pilot Lou Conter. Mr. Conter was on duty on the deck of the Arizona when the planes came in. Witness to Infamy is a gripping account of his service in the Pacific War. An Eagle Scout Project by Philip M.T. Jacques. Featuring footage, historical commentary and music, the film is about as professional as amateurs can get. Last year we traveled to Pearl Harbor for the 75th anniversary, and the film includes commentary from other survivors, and...