The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Pearl Harbor - Dec. 7, 2002

Naval Historial Center ^

[Clinging Bitterly]

Thanks for the ping.

My Dad was at Pearl Harbor that day, he was a carpenter in the USN. Interesting connection, my Mom's brother was also there at the same time, though they didn't know each other well. Sometime earlier in their days at the base, my dad found my uncle's lost wallet, and at the time they briefly met. Around 1948 or so after my Mom & Dad met, my dad & uncle became more aquainted.

I barely knew my dad myself. He was killed in a traffic crash when I was about two years old. He was a Quaker (I was not raised in that faith myself), and enlisted in the Navy before the war went full scale, to do his part for our country. He worked in the shipyard and mainly built cabinetry in the fleet that was being readied there. He was, I guess, some distance from the areas that were heavily attacked that day, so was in no immediate danger. I suppose that's true of the circumstances of a lot of folks there. There is not a lot of personal history I can share because of his untimely death, but I am nonetheless proud for his service and that of "the greatest generation" as a whole. It is an unquestionable fact, they made today's world a better place than it otherwise would have been.

This date makes me want to have more to remember, for by all accounts he was a great man. It is kind of sad. I have one photo of him in the old style white Sailor garb, taking liesure time amid some coconut trees. It's a treasure. (sis, we gotta get that scanned)


Dave in Eugene

[SAMWolf]

Lest we forget what real heros are, we need only to remember where they lie.

Thanks lawdog, I like that quote.

[Light Speed]

Ye M...have some photos punched to disc....need to get my butt in gear and set up a web page...my Digital server gives me one and a certain meg value for free.
then the next block of megs cost like $15 per month...grrrr!

[Jen]

Thanks for the grub! Do you have any chocolate bars??? ;-)

[Taxman]

Thanks for your posts and photos.

Just to keep the record straight, USS Midway (Initial designation CVB-41) was the first of the post WW II carriers and began the US Navy's transition from the Essex class carriers to the "modern" aircraft carrier.

Three Midway class carriers were commissioned: Midway, Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) and Coral Sea (CVB-43). All have been decommissioned; FDR and the Coral Maru (as she was affectionately known) have been scrapped. The Midway is slated for museum duties in her retirement in San Diego beginning in the summer of 2003.

Mash this link to find out more than you ever wanted to know about the USN aircraft carrier: http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/cv-list1.html .

[Taxman]

Good for you!

Lest we forget!

[MistyCA]

Thanks for that post, and thanks for sharing about your dad. I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad and uncle are certainly two of our heros. I hope you do get that photo scanned so that it is never lost. What a treasure, indeed.

[MistyCA]

Yes, I hope you do that...and then you can link the site to us! ;) That would be great!

[MistyCA]

BTW....why Eugene, of all places??? :)

[Jen]

Thanks for the holiday cheer!

[Jen]

I am nonetheless proud for his service and that of "the greatest generation" as a whole. It is an unquestionable fact, they made today's world a better place than it otherwise would have been.

You have every right to be proud of your Dad, Dave. He served our country during war - that alone is enough to make him a "great man"! Please scan that photo and share it here so we can honor him.

BTW, is Garden Variety your sis?

[Jen]

Hi Dave! Good to see you again.

[Clinging Bitterly]

> BTW....why Eugene, of all places???

Well sometimes ya gotta go where there is the work. I was born right here in Eugene, our family lived about 30 miles up the Mckenzie river in a little log house on a farm at a place called Vida. That's one of two log cabins our family has lived in. The other one was at a place called Isom in Kentucky. Been around other parts of the country over the years, but right now this is as close as I can get to home.

Dave in Eugene

[Clinging Bitterly]

> BTW, is G V your sis?

Not my little sister, not my big sister. My twin sister (but she is the older by five minutes, as she used to brag a very long time ago).

(cat's out of the bag, I guess)

Dave in Eugene

[Jen]

It's so great that you volunteer to speak to school kids about war and military history. After I got back from the Gulf War I spoke to several school groups about the experience and it was very rewarding for me and for the kids.

[Jen]

Hi LJ! Good to see you in the Foxhole.

[HiJinx]

A young lieutenant who was involved in returning the refugees later became the DCSI (Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence) to the Berlin Brigade, '78-'81. I took several college courses from him. The stories are chilling. He knew in his heart what was happening, and arranged for several of his charges to mysteriously disappear from the trains, never to be seen again east of the Oder.

[Jen]

Hi Louie! I'm glad you are visiting the Foxhole and enjoying the posts by Vets and their family members. That's what I like best and usually learn the most from.

[Jen]

Hope you are having a happy birthday!

[Jen]

Thanks for telling about the Oklahoma. I know very little about Naval history and I always learn so much from what everyone posts.