Thank you all for your comments about being moved by my father’s story.
He doesn’t talk a lot about it, and certainly hasn’t shared his emotions about what happened, but my dad is one of the most compassionate and caring men I know, so the incident surely has been a difficult one for him to live with.
I am very blessed to have my dad. The best qualities in me- my strength, my sense of humor and a compulsion to help others- all come from him. Although there are a few things I wish I hadn’t inherited. I’m looking at YOU horrid sense of direction and hoarding tendencies.
My dad visited Pearl Harbor in the mid-seventies during a 2 day business trip to Hawaii (from NH!), but I don’t think the lost submarine memorial was there at the time. We actually have a few local memorials specifically to the Thresher and to the other lost subs with connections to the Portsmouth shipyard.
Here’s a recent selfie I took with my dad during lunch at the Olive Garden.
Going to Hawaii has never been on my to-do list, except that I would like to tour Pearl Harbor. Thank you for sharing that part of your trip.
I had never heard the story of the Thrasher, can not imagine the feelings your father has lived with all these years.
So, how did Ben do in the Geography Bee?
Our trip to Pearl Harbor was incredibly moving, a lot like visiting the memorials to WWII, Vietnam and Korea in Washington DC. Actually, more so because we were at the actual place where it happened.
The news about the Thresher disaster was definitely an important local story because most of the people involved were from around here, but I suspect it was also well known nationally at the time.
Sorry for the oversight- Ben came in 7th out of 24 students. I edited the information into my update.
180 day advance purchase. Who's Copying who?
I really like the idea of a set rate taxi. Just nice to know in advance the cost.
My goodness, that story of your Dad is so tragic. Such a feeling of gratefulness and sadness all at once.
You know, a lot of people are obviously so familiar with Pearl Harbour, but for most (myself included) it's just this iconic site, far far away with a tragic history. To actually be there, especially as an American, must be surreal. I think this photo really captures the feelings one must have being at that site.
You both look so mournful and respectful.
I believe you are the king at finding Disney connections wherever you are. In addition to advanced reservations, one of the symbols of Pearl Harbor is the Tree of Life.
Not my picture
Admittedly, it looks a bit different from the one we are all familiar with.
Yes, the look in that photo of Ben and me pretty much sums up the feeling of being out on the memorial, standing over what is left of the USS Arizona.
I wish that we had gone to Pearl Harbor when we were in Oahu. It looks fascinating. It must have felt a little strange for you to be there, considering your father and what happened to the coworker.
I didn't know the lost submarine memorial was there, but that connection really made an emotionally charged place even more so to me.
The site is impressive when you think about what happened there and when you see how well the story is shared with visitors.
What a tragic story about your Dad and his co-worker.
Mark and I never made it to Pearl Harbor on our honeymoon (I think it was the "honeymoon" aspect), and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing your pictures. My Dad served in World War II and I know how much he wanted to go see Pearl Harbor and he never got that opportunity.
That gives you a reason to return to Hawaii.
There were a lot of active duty military personnel and veterans there at Pearl Harbor. As it should be. This is probably one of the most meaningful sites for people who are serving our country.
Thankyou Dee for your latest update. Like many I knew some of the history of Pearl Harbor but it seems more real looking at your photos and reading your report. You really made me reflect on how fragile life is and how precious with your dad's story. A reminder to us all to appreciate the good fortune we have to be here at all!
Thanks for the kind words.
Amen!
Fabulous update Dee. It i such an interesting place. My parents went there a few years back and said it is just amazing and so sad all at the same time. I have read that many crew members who did not die on the Arizona have had their ashes placed there when they died as well.
Thank you!
Visiting Pearl Harbor was very emotional. Sad and sacred, and yet healing, too. If that makes sense.
Wow, what a story about your dad and the Thresher. Just. Wow.
The implications of my dad being on that sub affect me on a very existential level. Literally.
Such a piece of history that I don't think we can truly appreciate now. I wonder what it will be like to take my grandkids (some day in the distant future
) to the 911 memorial.
Really good analogy. I know what happened at Pearl Harbor, but I don't have the same experience as the people who were around at the time. The 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York are like that for our generation, but my kids are removed from the same emotions we have because they were too young to remember the events.
Oh wow Dee, what a tragic story. I know that he must have felt relief but sadness too. I am sure that your father is honored to be the escort for his co-workers family.
I can certainly see why you took so many pictures while at Pearl Harbor. I am sure that you wanted to take as many as you could so that you wouldn't forget your visit there.
Thanks, Lisa.
Even I was shocked when I tallied up the number of pictures I took. But between all of the different memorials and especially touring the submarine and battleship, there were so many fascinating things to see.
The Pearl Harbor Memorial is very well done, we also enjoyed going through the Museums that were there. It rained the entire time we were there, so it felt somber from that standpoint too. Very interesting about your father, it is so nice that he continues to honor the memory of the lives lost on the submarine. I feel fortunate for all of those who served our country, both during times of war and during peacetime. Both of my parents were Korean War Veterans, my Mother was a nurse.
I regret that we didn't spend any time in the museums. I know the visitor's center for the Arizona Memorial was recently renovated and I have heard it is really impressive. Given the quality of the movie we watched, I can believe it.
My dad served in Korea as well. I am so thankful to the brave people who serve our country and to their families for their sacrifices!
Great review Dee. Brings back many memories from our trip.
Thank you! I'm glad to hear this is giving you an excuse to remember your visit to Hawaii (and maybe getting you to think about a return do-over trip).
That is a very moving story about your dad. Somethings are just meant to be and we will never know why. I'm sure he struggled for a long time over that. How wonderful that he continues to participate in the memorial service.
I loved seeing and hearing about Pearl Harbor. It's such a truly special place. I hope that some day I have the opportunity to visit it. I think the oil is especially intriguing. You would think it would all be gone by now.
I guess there's no explanation for that.
What, no food porn?
My dad's story truly represents how fragile life can be and how it can change in an instant. My philosophy for this year (and for the future) is to treasure the present moment.
If that translates roughly into "More Travel", so be it!
It took us awhile for us to make the trip to Hawaii, but it turned out that our timing was just at the right time for our family.
The thought that there is still oil coming up from the ship is mind-blowing.
Sorry about the lack of food porn. Our lunch was hotdogs and I didn't want to cross that food-porn line. I promise you will have some in the next update!
