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Today marked an historic passing of the final memorial reunion on the anniversary of that horrific attack at Pearl Harbor by the remaining survivors.
Although so much time has passed and the Free World has developed so much as well, how does this marker make YOU feel as a service member?
One particular song comes to mind in a kind of theme "Old Soldiers Never Die" as you harken back on military history and career:
https://communities.usaa.com/t5/USAA-News/Final-Reunion-Planned-for-USS-Arizona/ba-p/51148
Although so much time has passed and the Free World has developed so much as well, how does this marker make YOU feel as a service member?
One particular song comes to mind in a kind of theme "Old Soldiers Never Die" as you harken back on military history and career:
https://communities.usaa.com/t5/USAA-News/Final-Reunion-Planned-for-USS-Arizona/ba-p/51148
Posted in these groups: 
WWII World War Two
WWII World War Two
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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During the second quarter of the Vikings/Jets game yesterday, a 91 year-old veteran that served on the USS Ward - the patrol boat that sunk a Japanese Midget submarine an hour before the bombing started was honored. Slowly, he made his way to the East end zone with the help of a walker, politely declining the offered assistance of a uniformed escort at least 60 years his junior. You could tell that he wanted to do this on his own power.
The old Communications Mate stood as steadily as he could as familiar black and white images of the main attack and the aftermath were played on the scoreboard and a B-25 flew over the stadium.
He smiled an epic smile as the crowd went nuts, getting to its feet and chanting USA!, USA! in unison and with gusto.
Petty Officer Richard Thill is one of only a handful of Pearl Harbor veterans left. I am pretty sure that what I witnessed was one of the best days of his life.
I hope I get to meet him before it is too late, shake his hand, and thank him for making sure that the first ship sunk has the Rising Sun Ensign.
The old Communications Mate stood as steadily as he could as familiar black and white images of the main attack and the aftermath were played on the scoreboard and a B-25 flew over the stadium.
He smiled an epic smile as the crowd went nuts, getting to its feet and chanting USA!, USA! in unison and with gusto.
Petty Officer Richard Thill is one of only a handful of Pearl Harbor veterans left. I am pretty sure that what I witnessed was one of the best days of his life.
I hope I get to meet him before it is too late, shake his hand, and thank him for making sure that the first ship sunk has the Rising Sun Ensign.
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SSG (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see),
How awesome that must have been! Thanks for posting this, I for one would never have known about it otherwise so again, thank you!
How awesome that must have been! Thanks for posting this, I for one would never have known about it otherwise so again, thank you!
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I've spent some time with the USS ARIZONA Memorial organization over the years, and I know a few of the WWII veterans.
Let me point out that the USAA article mentions the USS ARIZONA survivor reunion. There are still over 2000 living survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack (from all of the military services, in addition to the USS ARIZONA crew) and they'll continue to be recognized at future 7 December ceremonies.
At the 70th anniversary, the remaining members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association disbanded and turned over their funds to the non-profit organization that supports the USS ARIZONA Memorial. They'll continue their legacy of "Honor, Remember, Understand" through the survivors' videoteleconferences with school kids and their oral histories. Several of the survivors still muster a few mornings a week at the Memorial's Visitor Center to talk story with the crowd.
The families of the survivors are also considering how they'll perpetuate the legacy.
Let me point out that the USAA article mentions the USS ARIZONA survivor reunion. There are still over 2000 living survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack (from all of the military services, in addition to the USS ARIZONA crew) and they'll continue to be recognized at future 7 December ceremonies.
At the 70th anniversary, the remaining members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association disbanded and turned over their funds to the non-profit organization that supports the USS ARIZONA Memorial. They'll continue their legacy of "Honor, Remember, Understand" through the survivors' videoteleconferences with school kids and their oral histories. Several of the survivors still muster a few mornings a week at the Memorial's Visitor Center to talk story with the crowd.
The families of the survivors are also considering how they'll perpetuate the legacy.
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SSG (Join to see)
My word that article is misleading then! Thanks for clarifying and shedding light on the situation!
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