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| Posted by: steve houpt
- [23111646] Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 09:11
Just a little remembrance of what happened 60 years ago.
If you have never been to the Memorial and are fortunate enough to take a trip to Hawaii, the museum, the 30 minute film and shuttle boat ride out to the Arizona Memorial is quite worth the time. In fact, it was the first thing many of us did that had never been there on our first day of liberty (even before a Mai Tai or Waikiki Beach).
When you retire, the military gives you a US Flag in appreciation of your service. They ask if you would like it flown over your state capital, US Capital, certain US ships, etc. Something about my trip to the memorial made me select the USS Arizona. Comes with a nice little certificate.
USS Arizona
Certificate of Flag Presentation
ATCS Steven J. Houpt, U. S. Navy
On the Occasion of Your Retirement
In tribute to the American fighting men killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the national ensign is flown daily, 8 a.m. to sunset, from a flagpole mounted to the battleship USS ARIZONA (BB 39).
The battleship, resting in 38 feet of water at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, is no longer in commission. It was stricken from the active list in 1942.
Special permission was granted by the Secretary of the Navy to fly the United States Flag over the ship in memory of the brave men killed during the attack on the morning of December 7, 1941.
The United States Flag accompanying this certificate was raised and lowered from this same flagpole on 8 April 1997 at 1840.
Signed and authenticated this date, 10 April 1997.
Kathleen J. Billings
National Park Service
Superintendent
USS Arizona Memorial
Troy Steinman
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
Commander
Naval Base, Pearl Harbor
I have it displayed in a 'flag box' and I see it every day, but on 7 December it seems a little more special. |
| | | 1 | sarge33rd
ID: 491058113
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 09:45
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thanks SH for a poignant reminder of those who have come and gone before us. Have yet to make that trip, but it is very high on my list of 'must do' things. (Along with a trip to 'The Wall'.)
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| | | 2 | Perm Dude
Leader
ID: 381021414
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 10:18
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Thanks, Steve. I've never been to the Arizona, but based upon my own reaction to documentary and other films, books, and a few articles about it, I'm sure I'm going to ball my eyes out when I finally get there. The sacrifice those men made stand as a testament to the strength, resolution, and courage of this country.
Boy, say what you want about the military, but they sure do a bang up job on memorials.
"The Wall": Yeah, I've been to DC half a dozen times and never made it there. Many friends have said a visit there is a real life-changer.
pd
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| | | 3 | steve houpt
ID: 23111646
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 10:44
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PD - in DC, yes, the Wall, the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and just walking through Arlington.
Lived just a little more than 100 miles from DC when growing up. Made class and family trips to DC as a kid. But they have meant much more as an adult. Used to have half a day here, a day there when I had to make 'work' trips to DC and took in what sites I could. Best trip was when I took leave to go to Philly and drove through DC and spent 3 days.
Made me think. I live in New Orleans and still have not gone to the D-Day museum (15 minute ride) which is supposed to be excellent.
I have to put that on my list of must do. No excuse.
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| | | 4 | Perm Dude
Leader
ID: 381021414
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 10:47
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I didn't realize there was a D-Day museum. I just watched Saving Private Ryan last week. God, what a hell those men went through.
pd
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| | | 6 | Baldwin
ID: 4261155
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 13:57
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I am not sure whch would hit me harder, the Wall in D.C. or the Wall in Berlin, what's left of it.
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| | | 7 | Perm Dude
Leader
ID: 44241819
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 14:01
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For me it would be the DC wall. The Berlin wall has a good ending, with it being (mostly) torn down in triumph.
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| | | 8 | Mark Felton, Art Jr
Leader
ID: 4444938
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 18:37
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Before this day ends, I wanted to express my thanks to Steve H, sarge, and all other vets here and elsewhere.
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| | | 9 | James K Polk
ID: 53113860
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 19:39
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Excellent sentiments, Mark L. I feel the same way. You guys are heroes, and deserve to be appreciated today and every day.
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| | | 10 | Perm Dude
Leader
ID: 258492618
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 22:15
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Hear, hear. And if you guys don't mind, I'm going to put my dad (the real one) in the group as well.
pd
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| | | 11 | James K Polk
ID: 53113860
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 22:20
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the real one?
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| | | 12 | Perm Dude
Leader
ID: 258492618
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 22:33
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Fake PD dads are popping up all over the place these days
Post #27
Post #19
Also the SitRep thread which got wiped, it seems.
pd
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| | | 13 | James K Polk
ID: 53113860
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 22:47
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lol, so how did Clayton get pegged as your "dad" in the first place? :)
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| | | 14 | Perm Dude
Leader
ID: 258492618
Fri, Dec 07, 2001, 23:05
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Can't pick your parents, it seems :)
pd
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| | | 15 | Baldwin
ID: 4261155
Sat, Dec 08, 2001, 08:33
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Aww I thot it was such a nice personal touch allowing us a glimpse of the family PD. 8]
Heartwarming even. *sigh*
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| | | 16 | steve houpt
ID: 451161019
Fri, Dec 07, 2007, 13:42
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BTTT. Just a reminder. 66 years ago.
My flag sits on the window sill in my living room double window here in So Carolina's seafood capitol, Murrells Inlet. And I get my "USS Arizona BB 39 Pearl Harbor" ball cap out to wear once a year. Today.
Five survivors keep history alive at Pearl Harbor
======
Note: Still have not made it to "D-Day Museum" which was deginated by Congress as the country's official "National WWII Museum". Drove by on my last trip, but decided we needed to eat lucnh before going and then was to late. Next trip.
WWII Museum
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I saw this advertised last trip to NOLA. I will make it next trip during this exhibit.
When baseball went to war - WWII Museum
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| | | 17 | Mattinglyinthehall
Leader
ID: 01629107
Fri, Dec 07, 2007, 13:44
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Thanks, steve. Nice to see you post.
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| | | 18 | biliruben
ID: 5610442715
Fri, Dec 07, 2007, 13:53
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Good to hear from you, Steve.
Murrells inlet, huh. I got my Boy Scout initiation down the inland waterway a bit near Santee reserve. I will not speak of it! Boy Scouts are twisted.
I hope you are enjoying it! SC is beautiful. I miss it sometimes. Retired?
My granddad, before a passed a few years ago, was proud to be one of the last of his West Point class to walk the parade grounds on his own two legs. The WWII vets are few in numbers these days, and getting fewer. I feel lucky to have known him.
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| | | 20 | walk
ID: 7952415
Fri, Dec 07, 2007, 14:05
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Hello steve houpt!
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| | | 21 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Fri, Dec 07, 2007, 15:15
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Thanks for the post Steve.
And I can not emphasize enough the truth in what Steve says in standing on the memorial looking over the side.
Don't think I can count the number of trips I've made out there, and I would say that every single one of them had the same impact on me.
My shadow box hangs in my office at the house.
Flag is in the bottom of it, and also flew over the Memorial.
Just made sense as to the right place for it to fly.
Cliff
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| | | 22 | sarge33rd
ID: 99331714
Fri, Dec 07, 2007, 18:39
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The Pearl Harbor Memorial is high on my list of "places to visit". Hevnt yet had the opportunity, but look forward to it with both a sense of pride and a sense of dread. To know something is one thing, to see it; can be another thing entirely. A reality that first hit me back in the 70s, when I first lay eyes on the mined fence between the two Germanys.
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