I was there... because THEY were there - Dec. 7, 1941 - 2011

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:50 pm

I have lots more to write when I have time, but this was simply a wonderful, though somber day.

A few pictures from the Pearl Harbor commemoration in Fredericksburg, TX today.

A handful of survivors amidst a grateful and significant, but small (considering how many people COULD have come) crowd.

I wonder if the children in this fellow's community appreciate him the way I do...

And I'm actually amazed at the vigor this 1.1 Gunners Mate on the West Virgina still has. Oh that when I'm in my 80s... God willing, I will be as strong.

That's it folks... that's ALL of the survivors that were able to attend the ceremony in the Peace Garden at the Nimitz...

It's quite sad actually. I was at the 60th anniversary event, and it was THOUSANDS of people filling the street in front of the Nimitz, with a former US President speaking. I'd say this one might have hit a thousand, but more likely in the 700-900 range.

I've got more pictures, but here's one of WIXer Conrad flying the T-28 in honor of the veterans. The T-6 flight will hopefully be in a later post.

Ryan

jmkendall · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:26 am

My Grandfather was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions at Pearl on Dec. 7th.

When I was a Kid in Vallejo CA/Mare Island Naval Shipyard, we had a parade every December 7th. All the Pearl Harbor Survivors in the area would attend. It was a fair sized event.

My Grandfather if he were still with us would be over 100. He was in charge of the Boat house on Ford Island and pulled Sailors and Marines out of the water during the attack.

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:31 am

A couple of other WIXers were there as well...

Here's one of 'em.

Ryan

B 25 C · **Joined:** Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:05 pm **Posts:** 166

Thanks to all Veterans. May you be blessed by God.

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:59 am

When my son who is 21 now, was younger, he and I went to air shows and museums and there were times he was bored because I would spend time talking to "old people" his words, they are actually veterans. I could listen to their stories all day! Now that my son is older he can understand why I took the time to talk to people and hear their stories. He has a better understanding and appreciation for things that matter. :drink3:

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:36 am

Sorry I had to leave before the photo op, but you did get a good picture of me in the T-28 pass. Great remembrance, too bad it wasn't attended by more. Should of had every school kid within a 100 miles there.

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 11:37 am

Couldn't agree more!!!!! :drink3:

NathanT24 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 25, 2004 11:27 pm **Posts:** 252

RIP George Hemingway, we lost George I think in June of this year. He was a great friend of mine and would always come into the Kroger I worked at in Friendswood TX and would always tell me stories about him being on Ford Island! Wish he could have made it to Dec 7th!

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:28 pm

Great stuff Ryan, thanks. 10 years ago my wife & I were at Pearl Harbor for the 60th anniversary. Quite a moving event. The place is so thick with history you can practically cut it with a knife.

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:18 pm

I'm really kicking myself for not going to Fredericksburg yesterday. I went out to the USS Texas at about 9am and there wasn't anyone around.
Jason Barnett

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:28 pm

carlisle1926 wrote:

I'm really kicking myself for not going to Fredericksburg yesterday. I went out to the USS Texas at about 9am and there wasn't anyone around.
Jason Barnett

Now THAT is a crying shame... although I wonder if some folks weren't there around lunchtime. That's when everything was happening in Fredericksburg.

Ryan

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:57 pm

When I was at Pearl Harbor ten years ago for the 60th anniversary, I struck up a conversation w/ Don Stratton who is not only a Pearl Harbor survivor but was on the USS Arizona at the time of the attack. Mr Stratton survived the inferno on the Arizona by climbing hand over hand on a rope tossed over by a salior on the USS Vestal. What makes the story incredible is that Mr Stratton was severely burned by the fires raging out of control on his ship and was still able to make his way to the Vestal. Mr Stratton told me the skin on his arms was literally falling off as he crossed over to the other ship. The pain from his burns had to be intense. An incredible story I thought.

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:48 pm

For the "warbirds" side of the equation, besides Conrad in the T-28 pictured above we had several guys flying a four-ship T-6/SNJ formation. Here's a video of the missing man formation led by Terry Adams.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shCHn1gBKTs

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:59 pm

Here are some pictures of the first pass...

I heard an older couple nearby talking, and one of them said "Now that's how REAL airplanes sound!"

Ryan

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:16 am

Now that's what a formation should look like!

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I was there... because THEY were there - Dec. 7, 1941 - 2011

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