The United States celebrates Memorial Day this weekend. I am grateful to all of the men and women who serve and who have served our country throughout history and to their families. Today I am sharing pictures from Pearl Harbor since aside from terrorist acts this was the last time war actually touched U.S. soil.
Please click on the pictures to get a clearer view. The second picture is looking down on what is left of the deck. Oil still slowly leaks from the ship so the view is not clear. Fish now make the ship their home.
The bombing of Pearl Harbor brought the United States officially into WWII. It directly affected my father as he was already in the army stationed in Panama at the time. He then fought in the Philippines during the war. Post-war he remained in the reserves, but he transferred to the air force and was a paratrooper during the Korean War.
The bombing of Pearl Harbor also profoundly affected my husband’s family. My father-in-law, a sixth grader at the time, thought the military was doing training maneuvers when he heard the planes so he and his sisters went to the roof of their store to watch. The smoke coming from Pearl Harbor told the true story. Even then he did not realize how much it would change his life.
It would eventually lead to his being sent away to a military high school. He would stay on the mainland for college and then join the army. Eventually, he did return to Hawaii to help run the family store, but he missed growing up as a care-free island boy.
Today I am especially grateful to those who made the supreme sacrifice to protect our freedom and to the families who have suffered the loss of their loved ones through their service to others.
Delightfully Different Life 
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post Sue – it is indeed essential to remember those people who sacrificed their lives and their freedom for the sake of us. We are blessed because of what they did for us.
My grandfather was in the Royal Navy transferring essential foods and supplies when his ship, HS Somali got torpedoed in Russian Waters. Thankfully, he survived the freezing cold waters and was picked up by another ship passing by. He so easily could have died and been another name on those haunting memorial plaques.
Blessings to you my dear friend!
Chloe xx
Chloe,
Thank you! I am so glad your grandfather survived. Too many lose their lives in war.
When we went to Hawaii for vacation in Summer of 2008, we especially visited the USS Arizona Memorial. The memorial is so touching and depressing! (Day 5 in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor)
I am just saddened by the story about the effect of Pearl Harbor on your husband’s family. So many lives taken, changed by unnecessary wars. (All wars are unnecessary. Because I believe that all wars are started and continued because of fanaticism, intolerance and greed; and because the cost of war is too high, war is unjustifiable.)
Charlotte,
I hate war as much as you do and I too agree they should be unnecessary and I hope and pray our children will live to see a day when they truly are. Until then, I am thankful for those who serve and truly grateful to the ones who gave their lives. I read your post about your visit and I couldn’t agree more. I have visited the memorial three times now and I always feel moved when I visit. So many young lives were lost that day and I too have to wonder if some of their spirits still reside there. I always say a silent pray that they rest in peace and for their families as well.
I join you in hoping and praying that our children will see that day.
Amen to that!
My grandfather was a prisoner of War in the Philippines during World War II. My father and his two brothers were sent back to the states before the Japanse attacked Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. My grandmother worked for the Red Cross in the States so that she might get information about my grandfather. My father has written a book about it…On the Road Home…A Memoir of Triumph and Tragedy on a Forgotten Frontier…by John Russell Frank….just thought I would throw that out their if you were interested.
I so appreciate you honesty in your writing. You share with a most open heart. Reading your blog has helped me to know that I am not alone, and I thank you for this!!!!
Cheairs,
I would love to read your father’s book. I will add it to my wish list so that once I have another book to order with it I can purchase it. I try to avoid shipping costs when possible since they are higher to Hawaii. I think knowing our family history brings home the reality of past world events. Thank you for your kind comments as well. I am glad if I help others in some small way.
My father was in the Navy during this event but was not stationed here. He served on a Mine Sweeper and was involved in the Korean War as well. This was a very lovely post and I enjoyed reading it and joining you in gratitude for those that serve and served.
Grace,
Thank you! I do not believe there is a safe or easy job in war, but I think anyone who was a mine sweeper should be commended for their bravery just as those who do similar jobs today should be. They pave the way for their comrades safety.