Pearl Harbor & Dad's Aglow

20071207

Well today is Pearl Harbor Day! 66 years ago Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. I know I talked about this several years ago. I heard someone today recall that the Japanesse bombed Pearl Harbor while they had a delegation in Wash DC for a peace conference.

I don’t remember what I was doing when some of the other GREAT historic events occurred, but I do remember very vividly where I was and what I was doing when I learned of Pearl Harbor. Just a quick rehearsal. We had just returned from church. We were living in Alexandria VA and attended the First Brethren Church in D.C. Mom always fixed a big Sunday dinner and it usually took 45 minutes to an hour. So I headed over to the ‘sand lot’ basket ball court. The guys were not playing. They were all standing around talking about this attack on Pearl Harbor. At first I didn't know what they were talking about. I was only 13 at the time. The older ones were talking about enlisting first thing Monday, the next morning. Some planned to lie about their age—and did.

I was on my bike and headed for home as fast as I could. Mom and Dad had not heard about it yet. We turned the radio on—no TV then. We heard it right away. The next day FDR made his famous speech. We were at war.

Grandma was also on the way home from church. At that time she attended the Methodist church in East Juniata—on the other side of the railroad bridge from their place. [At this time we did not know each other]. As they were walking up the road, Arlene’s friend Leah Burkholder came out of her house and told them. Arlene was 14. George, her brother, enlisted in the Navy in March of 1942 [I think]. He never got into any battles. You’ll have to ask her about the details.

I have told you before about the black outs drill we had. I was a messenger boy on my bike and was allowed out during air raid warnings. We bought the dark green blinds to put over the windows in the house to keep the light from shining out. If any light showed, the air raid warden would sure let you know!! At that time, they had huge carbon-arc spot light to search the sky for any incoming planes. These old lights are still used today to attract attention to special events at night.

So another momentous event occurred today—Pearl Harbor Day. I graduated from Radiation Therapy. They even gave me a diploma to show I had completed the 43 prescribed treatments. And if you see me after dark, you will notice I have a glow about me! And don't you know, I got a big hug from all the tech girls/ladies!

Gpa G