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December 7, 1941


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It's nice to see you being so cavalier with other's lives prior to their apparently inevitable demise.  I have a feeling you're not going to be around here very long.

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I'm not the one being cavalier...Wasn't my decision that led to over 2000 dead (so far) in Iraq. I'd have been a lot more careful before I would have gone in. I'd like to see us not reach 3000. Cavalier would be wearing a flight suit and mincing around on an aircraft carrier with a Mission Accomplished sign...but then... :pirate:

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Quick hijack of thread back to it's original topic:

 

Sat next to a Pearl Harbor survivor on the way back from Honolulu yesterday. 87 yrs old and still very sharp. Not too many of those folks left, so I have to say it was a real treat. He had some great stories about his experiences during the raid and the resulting aftermath.

 

And I agree with BiB, every American should take the time to go the AZ memorial, stare down into the water and think about how fortunate you are. That is if you can think over all the clicking the Japanese cameras are making. The only thing I have ever seen that is as emotionally moving is the cemetary in Colleville sur Mer.

 

 

I know more than a few people who have been to Hawaii (some several times) and shrug when you ask them if they went to see the Arizona. Excuses range from "not really interested," or "didn't want to wait in line," or the worst, "it's just a ship." I've burned a few bridges calling their character into question, but wish they could have sat in my airline seat and listened for just a little while.

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Quick hijack of thread back to it's original topic:

 

Sat next to a Pearl Harbor survivor on the way back from Honolulu yesterday. 87 yrs old and still very sharp. Not too many of those folks left, so I have to say it was a real treat. He had some great stories about his experiences during the raid and the resulting aftermath.

 

And I agree with BiB, every American should take the time to go the AZ memorial, stare down into the water and think about how fortunate you are. That is if you can think over all the clicking the Japanese cameras are making. The only thing I have ever seen that is as emotionally moving is the cemetary in Colleville sur Mer.

 

 

I know more than a few people who have been to Hawaii (some several times) and shrug when you ask them if they went to see the Arizona. Excuses range from "not really interested," or "didn't want to wait in line," or the worst, "it's just a ship." I've burned a few bridges calling their character into question, but wish they could have sat in my airline seat and listened for just a little while.

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Wanna really be wowed? Find an old Chosin Resevoir Marine. Sit down have a talk and see if you can get him to open up about his experience and deidication to his fellow Marines, Soldiers and Sailors.

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Wanna really be wowed?  Find an old Chosin Resevoir Marine.  Sit down have a talk and see if you can get him to open up about his experience and deidication to his fellow Marines, Soldiers and Sailors.

526188[/snapback]

 

Spent half an hour once talking to a guy who was in the Ardennes. Just two months ago, I ran into a guy at the Vietnam Memorial wearing a "USS Honolulu" cap...turned out he was on the ship for the Battle of Tassafaronga (not that any of you know what it was without looking it up...so look it up.)

 

These guys have some good stories to tell, if you can get them to talk.

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Spent half an hour once talking to a guy who was in the Ardennes.  Just two months ago, I ran into a guy at the Vietnam Memorial wearing a "USS Honolulu" cap...turned out he was on the ship for the Battle of Tassafaronga (not that any of you know what it was without looking it up...so look it up.) 

 

These guys have some good stories to tell, if you can get them to talk.

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If I recall correctly, that didn't turn out so well for us. I'm not familiar with the tactics or the individual merits of those calling the shots in the battle, but I believe we got spanked by a far inferior Japanese force. Something to the tune of one lost cruiser and a few others busted up pretty badly.

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If I recall correctly, that didn't turn out so well for us. I'm not familiar with the tactics or the individual merits of those calling the shots in the battle, but I believe we got spanked by a far inferior Japanese force. Something to the tune of one lost cruiser and a few others busted up pretty badly.

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Good memory.

 

Destroyers on a supply run were surprised by an American cruiser force. Americans surprised the Japanese and opened fire, Japanese held fire, turned tail, and launched torpedos to cover their retreat. Torpedos literally blew the bows off Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Pensacola, and sunk the Northampton. Honolulu was the only cruiser to get away unscathed...largely because she was a newer, better design than the other four.

 

(Amazingly, not only was Rear Admiral Carleton Wright, commader of the cruiser force, not reprimanded (as he probably should have been, for his battle management was horrible), he was awarded the Navy Cross for losing 80% of his force to an inferior enemy force that he SURPRISED!.)

 

But anyhow...the guy I met was there. I couldn't get him to open up much, but it was a heartfelt honor to shake the man's hand.

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Wanna really be wowed?  Find an old Chosin Resevoir Marine.  Sit down have a talk and see if you can get him to open up about his experience and deidication to his fellow Marines, Soldiers and Sailors.

526188[/snapback]

Took my r&r from Vietnam to Hawaii and the people at Fort DeRussy (who really treated us well) arranged a tour. It is an impressive sight.

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