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old2soon
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« on: December 07, 2025, 10:37:02 AM » |
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84 years ago today a date Which WILL live in infamy. I've been to Pearl Harbor Hawaii 4 times and Sadly I've NEVER visited the USS Arizona Memorial!  Seemed as if I had the duty or other things to do. I also have NOT visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific AKA the Punch Bowl! First time I was in Pearl the hangar we were assigned had survived the Japanese onslaught BUT there were Still bullet gouges in the outer concrete foundation of the hangar and also bomb blast damage on the apron near the hangar from 7 December 1941 from a Japanese bomb. I also KNOW now the japanese our are Aliies in the Pacific standing with us for a possible assault from china. I PRAY that NEVER transpires! RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2025, 02:01:48 PM » |
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Yes a Day that will and has lived in Infamy. In 1973 I spent six or eight months at Pearl Harbor. All my time was not there, I was stationed on the USSN Patrick Henry (SSBN-599 - Blue). So, when the "Gold" crew was on the boat, I was in Pearl. I was stationed on Ford Island. The Arizona Memorial was there for me to see every day I was there. I toured Ford Island (well took a ride around the outer edge of the island). As we (my shipmates and I) traveled around Ford Island we were amazed at the number of ship wrecks that were still visible in the waters. Some pictures I took back then. I did not do a good job on the Arizona Memorial.     |
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scooperhsd
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« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2025, 03:37:36 PM » |
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I've been to the USS Arizona Memorial - in 1994 I was out at Pearl Harbor for the commissioning of USS Lake Erie (one of the supply officers was also stationed at WNY while I was there and I got an invitation that way). We got to ride the Captains Gig to the Memorial, and the "cattle car" with normal tourists had to wait for us to disembarq before they could. Very moving experiance being there, and I think about it every Dec 7th since. I would not mind revisiting it again someday, but I doubt that will happen.
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bassman
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« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2025, 03:59:30 PM » |
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LadyDraco
Member
Posts: 2038
TISE
Bastian, VA. Some of the best roads in the East
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« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2025, 04:21:38 PM » |
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Life is what you make of it~If it don't fit make alterations...
One does not speak unless one knows.
Never underestimate the power of a woman !
It's a Poor Craftsman who blames their Tools !
This is the way
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Serk
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« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2025, 05:13:27 PM » |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Oss
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Posts: 12784
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2025, 10:34:38 PM » |
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We visited the memorial in October
Very moving experience
Glad we took the time
It felt like it did at Gettysburg if that makes sense
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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DIGGER
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« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2025, 03:42:30 AM » |
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Another story.....
About 25yrs ago me and Mary and my sister and her husband Sheldon went to Cabo San Lucas on a fishing trip. (Got the sea sickness on the trip worse than I have ever got seasick....but thats another story).... we stayed at a one story hotel by the docks that had a big courtyard with a bar in the middle of it and in the evenings all the fishermen would come out and have drinks in the courtyard.....being as the rooms didnt have tvs...ha....anyways a couple nights there was a group of ten or so guys in their late 80's or early 90's that were there on a fishing trip. They were having fun every evening in the courtyard. One evening the courtyard was very crowded and I ended up sitting at a table with one of the old men and in the conversation I asked him what he had done for his occupation all his life and he replied "I made speeches son and made a pretty good living at it." I asked "speeches about what?" He said "I was stationed at Pearl Harbor December 7 when it came under Japanese attack. I was working in the crowsnest of the USS Pennsylvania as it was in drydock having some work done on it. I witnessed the entire attack from the crowsnest of the USS Pennsylvania and I have made a career of making speeches about my experiences.".....I was beside myself....I shook his hand...thanked him for his service....and bought him a beer.....ha
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scooperhsd
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« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2025, 05:38:35 AM » |
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Another story.....
About 25yrs ago me and Mary and my sister and her husband Sheldon went to Cabo San Lucas on a fishing trip. (Got the sea sickness on the trip worse than I have ever got seasick....but thats another story).... we stayed at a one story hotel by the docks that had a big courtyard with a bar in the middle of it and in the evenings all the fishermen would come out and have drinks in the courtyard.....being as the rooms didnt have tvs...ha....anyways a couple nights there was a group of ten or so guys in their late 80's or early 90's that were there on a fishing trip. They were having fun every evening in the courtyard. One evening the courtyard was very crowded and I ended up sitting at a table with one of the old men and in the conversation I asked him what he had done for his occupation all his life and he replied "I made speeches son and made a pretty good living at it." I asked "speeches about what?" He said "I was stationed at Pearl Harbor December 7 when it came under Japanese attack. I was working in the crowsnest of the USS Pennsylvania as it was in drydock having some work done on it. I witnessed the entire attack from the crowsnest of the USS Pennsylvania and I have made a career of making speeches about my experiences.".....I was beside myself....I shook his hand...thanked him for his service....and bought him a beer.....ha
Great story. |
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f6john
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Posts: 9800
Christ first and always
Richmond, Kentucky
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« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2025, 06:24:26 AM » |
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A hard lesson learned. As generations of new Americans are raised I hope the events of past wars and conflicts are presented to them with the hard facts of what happened and are not tainted by political differences. Wishful thinking on my part I suspect.
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16787
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2025, 12:56:03 PM » |
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I have been to both Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. It was a tough time for our fathers both in the USA and in Japan. I'm glad that is behind us and that the U.S. and Japan are the best of friends today.
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old2soon
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« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2025, 07:37:22 PM » |
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Lets say one of the defenders on 7 December 1941 was 17 years old. If this defender survived he would be 101 years old now! TIME is doing what the enemy could Not! When I signed up for the U S Navy I was 19 years of age. Feb 15 2026 should I Still be suckin wind I'll be 81! Time eventually evens the odds!  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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da prez
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« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2025, 07:16:44 AM » |
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We made it to Pearl Harbor . Bonnie and I went out with the other tourist. It was a time where my arthritis was not under control. I walked with a cane.
I wear my Army Veterans hat. I stood at the Memorial wall on the Arizona. Saluted a long salute. Most tourists stepped back. There was total silence. Many took pictures as I stood there. Many asked for pictures as I turned to leave.
As we later walked to the water taxi , a guard came up beside me , another took Bonnies arm and escorted us to the boat. They cleared the line and we boarded .
I never asked for special treatment , But was given a respect that all Veterans deserve.
da prez
Ross Patterson SP/5 E-5 1965-1969 Army
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