Posted on 09/12/2020 1:55:09 PM PDT by j.havenfarm
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 to Mr. Conter’s heart. About a dozen and a half Scouts and leaders dismounted from their vehicles and delivered a special salute from the middle of the street.
It looks like the annual pilgrimage to Pearl Harbor is off due to COVID this year. However, Mr Conter is hale and hearty, and vows to make the 80th anniversary observances next year.
God bless this American hero. As I do periodically I offer this link to my son’s Eagle Scout documentary about this great American’s exploits.
God bless this hero and all our veterans! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T_L0kWTqPiA
Sorry. Here’s the link to the film.
Properly formatted this time I think:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T_L0kWTqPiA
Very cool.
Great historical documentary. I shared it on Facebook and Twitter.
A line from the great old war film “They Were Expendable”
Line was spoken by the navy cook.
“The old Arizona, best cook-stoves in the navy”
At the time he said it he did not realize it had been sunk.
https://www.imdb.com/video/vi2638331417?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1
http://123movies.net/watch/zGWJKgxP-they-were-expendable.html
When my physicians' staff members ask me my age, I tell them, then add "Back then, my Dad was dropping bombs on the Japanese".
Most staff members respond, "Oh, NO!"
God bless your late father. It’s a privilege to be part of Lou’s rather broad circle of friends. He’s some distance away so usually we have lunch every 6-8 weeks, but not since March. But we’ve talked on the phone and I’m happy to report he’s in great shape. I’m sure he’s going and I’ll be privileged to be among the group that goes to Pearl Harbor next December
The USS Arizona was my grandfather’s ship when he was in the Navy in the late 1920s-early 1930s.
Even years after the Great Depression, a book was authored: “The Navy Gave Me Shoes”
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