America Remembers Pearl Harbor, an Attack That Changed History.

[elleng]

Looking back on the fateful morning of December 7, 1941, when Japanese bombers pounded the U.S. Pacific fleet, Americans like Heim are marking the anniversary on Saturday with solemn public ceremonies and private moments of reflection.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/12/06/us/06reuters-usa-pearlharbor-anniversary.html?hp&_r=0

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

1. The link has a good story.

Those old fellows are leaving here every day. A thanks to them and peace.

[Ranchemp.]

3. Yep, we just lost Edward "Babe" Heffron.

He was with the 506th PIR, Easy Company, as depicted in Band of Brothers.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/2013/12/07/edward-heffron-wwii-band-brothers-dies/2NVO54rvBshGmOxDYKm4FO/story.html

True heros, each and every one of those that served and fought in WWII, they truly were the greatest generation.

[Journeyman]

2. Edward Wenzlaff will be interred aboard the USS Arizona tomorrow morning. . .

Before he died, Edward Wentzlaff made a wish.

The retired Navy chief warrant officer, one of the last living crew members of the USS Arizona, told his family he wanted to be laid to rest at the bottom of Pearl Harbor.

There, among the remains of those who died in a 1941 attack on the Hawaii Navy base, he would find peace.
“That’s what he wanted done,” said his daughter Mary Flock. “He made me promise.”

And on Dec. 7, Wentzlaff’s final request will be fulfilled.

The 32nd person to be interred aboard the USS Arizona since it was sunk during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Wentzlaff will be among friends, Flock said.

<snip>

The services themselves are attended by Navy sailors and dignitaries, she said. Navy seals, dressed in scuba equipment, take the remains below and the urns holding their ashes are placed in the well of barbette gun turret number four.

The service includes a committal service, interment, rifle salute, TAPS, flag presentation and plaque presentation.

http://www.southernminn.com/st_peter_herald/news/article_4fb2a08d-0e74-59ee-8ef1-64673df848b9.html

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

4. Wow, thanks for the link.

I remember visiting the Arizona Memorial in 1967. My Dad was stationed at Schofield, before they were sent off to Quang Nai. It was an impressive site.

[Journeyman]

5. I'm always moved when I read of men wanting to return to this ship and their shipmates. . .

My understanding is, any veteran can ask to be buried in whichever military cemetery they wish, as only a few are restricted. The Arizona is one of those.

I was surprised, a few years ago, when I visited Gettysburg and found graves as recent as WW1 and into the '30s. A guide told me they had accepted any requests up to then but had finally decided that Gettysburg and some of the other fields should be a little more exclusive.

I think it's a touching gesture that the military will honor the requests of the Arizona's survivors that they rest at last with their friends and shipmates.