...And Then Scotty Happened. A Hawaiian Adventure (CHAPTER 32 Added 5/23--THE END)

[shan23877]

I found your TR late, and thought I'd just lurk as you went along.

However, I had to come out of hiding to say how much I enjoyed this update. I found myself on the verge of tears more than once, but I couldn't hold them back any longer when you described those who had chosen to be laid to rest with their brothers.

What a wonderful experience for you children to meet one of the survivors. What they learn in school will never compare to that. One of my grandfather's best friends when I was growing up had been on Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. He didn't like to talk about it much, but I'll never forget the stories he was willing to share.

A beautifully written description of a very important place. Hats off to you!

 

[MEK]

​

Seriously - what he said!

Wow Mark, you brought tears to my eyes reading this update! Thank you so much for your recap. Probably as close to being there as any I have read.

I just think there are people who tour historical sites from a very surfacy perspective. They don't really "get" it. And as a memorial its hard to think that their decorum wouldn't be respectful, but then again I'm not surprised.

Thanks so much for this update!

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

I found your post while researching Aulani as I am hoping to get there in a couple years (you cant start researching such a magnificent place too early ).

Anyway, I have been totally captivated by your TP. I have enjoyed everything about it from the pictures to the funny comments you make to the reviews. But I had to break my silence from being a lurking reader to a poster when I read your review on Pearl Harbor. All I can say is WOW! Very touching! I just wanted to say thank you to you for taking the time to make such a great post for us to read. And thanks to your family for letting us come along and enjoying your vacation with you. Great job!

 

[Poolrat]

Great update Mark.

From following the concierge directions to the whole experience at Pearl Harbor, it sounds like you had one excellent day.

So nice to have the chance for some time with an eyewitness to that fateful day. How great that your kids ( and you ) got the chance to meet that man and hear his story.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Really enjoying your TR. Can't wait for more! We hope to go to Aulani next September.

 

[lovesthebeach]

I can't wait to hear more about your trip.....we're leaving for Aulani in 3 weeks!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

​

Thank you, sir.

I think I'm going to label that as "The Best Update. Ever."

How absolutely lucky your kids were to hear from someone who witnessed everything! And to know that he was Sarah's age when it all happened. Amazing.

Thanks! It really was a great experience. We had no idea that we'd get the chance to talk to him, but I'm so glad he sought us out. We saw a couple of other veterans wearing the same shirt around, and it was a great idea to have them present and available to talk to visitors.

Great update Mark. Well done. I imagine that it is a very moving experience (or should be, for those who pause long enough) visiting the memorial.

Thanks, Glenn. Definitely worth seeing. It's hard to believe when you're standing there that it was once a terrifying war zone.

very well done chapter, thanks for all the detail

Thanks Dan!

and as far as the next update im going to say your new food invention has something to do with putting a pork product together with another meat.

hopefully bacon is one of the meats.

I love reading your reports!!! They are wonderful!!!

Thank you! And thanks for reading along.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Coming Up Next: We try to invent the Greatest. Food. Ever. And please, hold onto your hats.

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what you add to a PB&J to make it Better...

 

[KatMark]

Mark, the whole Chapter 4 was fascinating, from start to finish. Our not visiting Pearl Harbor when we were there 30 years for our honeymoon is the one thing we regret from that trip. After reading your chapter, I could kick myself in the behind even more.

 

[middlepat]

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what you add to a PB&J to make it Better...

COmbining a PB&J with a cheesburger? Would this be Oblivious Heaven?

Mark, the whole Chapter 4 was fascinating, from start to finish. Our not visiting Pearl Harbor when we were there 30 years for our honeymoon is the one thing we regret from that trip. After reading your chapter, I could kick myself in the behind even more.

Sounds like a reason to go back.... just saying.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Having read other prior Oblivious family TR's... my foundation wasn't too shaken by this revelation.

Well, that's a relief. I thought I'd have to call in a medevac or something.

Yeah, but that has nothing to do with travel destinations...

...and then Scotty happened.

Ok, now onto the serious stuff. Kind of hard to go through and pick apart a write up about Pearl Harbor. It certainly does deserve a certain amount of respect and decorum, and I'm glad that you were able to take your kids to see it. I can think of nothing better than to have an opportunity to meet and have a conversation with someone who was actually there to witness the events of that day. It is sad to think about the fact that we're not going to have that generation around to share those stories for much longer.

Anyway, I'm glad you all had an opportunity to see it, and I thank you for sharing it with us.

Yeah, I had to tone down the jokes in this chapter. Not much funny happening there. But it really was a great experience, and I hope the kids remember it.

True… I thought this was going to be a shocking revelation?

Like you, I’ve devoted a couple of TRs to such unimportant things.
(They’re just not as widely read as your work… must be a commentary on the author )

It's a harder truth to accept for others. As for being widely read...the others probably aren't here by choice. We sent out Luigi, Guido and the other enforcers a couple of weeks before the TR began.

Ouch!
“Thank you sir, may I have another! “

Everything in Hawaii is expensive, but parking really hurts. It was a battle to find free spots here and there.

Always trust the locals

They do the same thing for other sites as well, like for the Washington Monument, and folks ought to take advantage of them for the very same reason. (And do so early so that they won’t have already run out before you get around to it )

Sounds like the voice of experience. We actually haven't been up in the Washington Monument yet. We were close to going and then the earthquake hit a couple of years ago and they closed it down "temporarily".

And I will (but I’ll add two more on to the trip as an apology back to “My Lovely” for doing so)

What? You want to see all of the ships? That seems so out of character.

Yah, that sounds pretty chea… reasonable to me.

Paying 5 admissions at every gate gets old really quickly. Plus we figured we'd seen similar exhibits last year in Charleston.

Got the chance to teach a few…
(did I mention that I was not much liked by the other young’ens?)

For that reason I’ll hush up here. Besides, you’re doing a fine job.

Really? I'm not sure I knew that part of your history. How long did you teach?

Austin Milbarge: “They're KGB special branch.”
Emmett Fitz-Hume: “Oh, come on.”
Austin Milbarge: “That was a Russian wristwatch. I know the country of origin of every timepiece in the world. That was a Russian copy of a 1969 Timex digital.”

For every minute you do not talk, I cut off a finger.

“The Tree of Life”
A Stylized image of it at least; part of the overall design that evokes the nation’s rebuilding and rise back from the losses.


Sorry ‘bout that… I’ll shut back up now.

Not at all! I actually tried to find out what its name was and significance but struck out. So you filled in quite nicely.

That was quite fortuitous indeed (and a great story).
That’s as good as Pixie Dust received at that other place that we all know about.


Ok… you summed that up better than I did

*** sigh ***


*** SIGH ***

I'm really starting to hate people. It's not a good attitude.

Not long to reflect, but I understand that both time and space are limited.
When I get there, I’ll just have to tune all the rude folks out and try to experience the monument on its’ own terms. Your trip here reminds me of our experience at Arlington; very moving. More so than even the prepared expects upon arrival.

I'm sure your reaction is goverened by your appreciation for history. They have a lot of crowds, so they have to keep everyone moving.

Nicely done Mark.
Very nicely done.

Thank you, sir.

Interesting…


Should we have a contest to see if your readers can figure out what the ingredient list might just include?

I’ll start with pineapple and smoked pork-belly
(and some of Captain Jack’s favorite potable if at all possible)

Let the speculation begin! Readers of previous TR's obviously have a much better idea of my culinary preferences.

 

[middlepat]

For every minute you do not talk, I cut off a finger.

Mine or yours?

 

[marvali]

Great update on Pearl Harbor, and how super your kids got to hear the story from an actual eyewitness account!!!

As someone who has a father who fought in and is a survivor of WWII, and served in the Navy in the Pacific (although just a little young to enlist until after Pearl Harbor), this has always been one of my favorite parts of history to research and study. I really appreciate all of the pictures and details your TR provided that are different from what is normally seen!

And I am another one who is saddened by those who visit historic sites like this who take the privilege for granted, and don't give it the proper reverence and respect it deserves! I'm so glad those who give the actual tours don't kid around when stressing the significance!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

It's a harder truth to accept for others. As for being widely read...the others probably aren't here by choice. We sent out Luigi, Guido and the other enforcers a couple of weeks before the TR began.

It helps to have connections…

Sounds like the voice of experience. We actually haven't been up in the Washington Monument yet. We were close to going and then the earthquake hit a couple of years ago and they closed it down "temporarily".

You are correct sir!
We’ll get back up there some time though.

Really? I'm not sure I knew that part of your history. How long did you teach?

Not exactly like that. There were times when I knew more about the topic then the folks teaching.
No sense in taking that topic any farther though, it’d just detract from your otherwise joyful and entertaining TR.

I'm really starting to hate people. It's not a good attitude.

No… but “People” do have a tendency to evoke that reaction in me as well.

Let the speculation begin! Readers of previous TR's obviously have a much better idea of my culinary preferences.

Oh… well then I need to add a hamburger to that pineapple and pork belly ingredient list.

For every minute you do not talk, I cut off a finger.

Mine or yours?

“Yours!”

“Damn…”

“Why are you here!”

“Why am I here? Why are you here? Why is anybody here? I think it was Jean-Paul Sartre who once said... how do you spell Sartre?”

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

...and then Scotty happened.

+1

 

[eandesmom]

Yes, there is life beyond Disney, hard as it is to imagine. What a magical experience to meet someone who was there as a child and to share that with your children. They will never forget.

It is a special place, a reverent place and to add that to it, wow.

Amazing.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

GOOD ANSWER!!!!!

Whew!

The really crazy thing is that when we were on the Arizona, our kids' pediatrician, his wife and two of their seven kids (the oldest is one of our babysitters) were on the Missouri!!! We didn't run into them, but found out about it later on facebook!

I don't care what you say, I'm not singing the song.

One of my favorite vacations pictures. Thankful that the kids have this memory.

Since we found out about our pregnancy, we have had many different "divine appointments". I think it's God's way of gently nudging us and telling us that it's okay - He's got this.

I sure hope so, because I still have no idea how this whole college tuition thing is going to work.

This portion of the memorial really moved me. That these men wanted to laid to rest with their brothers brought tears to my eyes.

As well it should.

It was VERY well done. I was a little nervous about how our kids would handle it. Would they be scared and fearful? Would it mean anything? Everything was age appropriate for our kids and I must say, they were more reverent and respectful than some adults there.

It's nice when they're finally old enough to start appreciating these things.

Rob - Thanks for that info. We were wondering what it meant.....if it was a special character with meaning....or just a design. Thanks for sharing.

+1

Nicely done sir.

Thanks, Brian.

Awesome update! How cool that your family got to meet that sweet gentleman who was there on that infamous day. That is definately a sign.

Christine

We loved talking to him!

Great trip report! Thanks!!

Thank you and

 

[jmwest]

Excellent update on Pearl Harbor. I appreciate the fact that my DW and I were able to visit this historic site on our honeymoon and intend to make sure that my childern visit someday as well.

I'm in the same boat as you regarding the nature of a lot of people these days. As Lee Greenwood sang in our favorite 4th of July tune, I'm proud to be an American. Unfortunately there are too many people out there who don't get it.

 

[Flossbolna]

I finally found the time to read your very interesting update about Pearl Harbour.

The fascinating thing for me is that it is a WWII memorial that is not about the bad things my country did (or at least not directly related to it). It seems to be a very special place and a very well done memorial and museum. It will certainly be very high on my list of places to visit in Hawaii, so all your practical tips are very much appreciated!

And how annoying that people were not treating the memorial with the respect it deserves. Were there signs saying that people should not use their mobiles? In a few of the larger churches here in Europe that get lots of tourists visiting them that they actually have people (volunteers it seems) to go around and remind people of how to behave properly in a church. They even got me once, I am ashamed to admit. But if you are there with a million tourists, it is easy to forget where you are. So maybe that might be an option for the memorial as well?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I found your TR late, and thought I'd just lurk as you went along.

However, I had to come out of hiding to say how much I enjoyed this update. I found myself on the verge of tears more than once, but I couldn't hold them back any longer when you described those who had chosen to be laid to rest with their brothers.

What a wonderful experience for you children to meet one of the survivors. What they learn in school will never compare to that. One of my grandfather's best friends when I was growing up had been on Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. He didn't like to talk about it much, but I'll never forget the stories he was willing to share.

A beautifully written description of a very important place. Hats off to you!

aboard Shannon! I'm glad you found the TR and are following along.

That's why we take these trips--not that school isn't great, but you learn just as much through your travels and experiences. I had a grandfather who fought in WWII and it was the same thing--not much conversation about it, but the times he did open up it was riveting.

Seriously - what he said!

Wow Mark, you brought tears to my eyes reading this update! Thank you so much for your recap. Probably as close to being there as any I have read.

I just think there are people who tour historical sites from a very surfacy perspective. They don't really "get" it. And as a memorial its hard to think that their decorum wouldn't be respectful, but then again I'm not surprised.

Thanks so much for this update!

Thanks Mary Ellen! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I just hope my kids understood the importance of the place and won't be the ones standing there texting in 30 years.

I found your post while researching Aulani as I am hoping to get there in a couple years (you cant start researching such a magnificent place too early ).

And I agree! I need to have a trip on the horizon just to maintain my sanity.

Anyway, I have been totally captivated by your TP. I have enjoyed everything about it from the pictures to the funny comments you make to the reviews. But I had to break my silence from being a lurking reader to a poster when I read your review on Pearl Harbor. All I can say is WOW! Very touching! I just wanted to say thank you to you for taking the time to make such a great post for us to read. And thanks to your family for letting us come along and enjoying your vacation with you. Great job!

Thank you and I hope you'll keep commenting! It's a lot of fun and most people here don't bite (except Brian when he hasn't had his coffee).

Great update Mark.

From following the concierge directions to the whole experience at Pearl Harbor, it sounds like you had one excellent day.

So nice to have the chance for some time with an eyewitness to that fateful day. How great that your kids ( and you ) got the chance to meet that man and hear his story.

And this is only the morning's events!

Amazing what you can learn from people with experience.

Really enjoying your TR. Can't wait for more! We hope to go to Aulani next September.

I can't wait to hear more about your trip.....we're leaving for Aulani in 3 weeks!!

Awesome! I hope you have a great time!