TWENTY-ONE PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, ALONG WITH THEIR CAREGIVERS,
VOLUNTEER MEDICAL TEAM, AND SUPPORT STAFF, VISITED THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL AND PEARL
HARBOR.
THE PRIVATE TOUR WAS HOSTED BY COMMANDER, NAVAL REGION HAWAII AND THE U.S. PARK SERVICE.
"TODAY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS HONORED TO WELCOME PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS VISITING
FROM THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. WE WELCOMED THEM AT WORLD WAR TWO VALOR IN THE PACIFIC NATIONAL
MONUMENT AT OUR VISITOR CENTER. THEY VISITED THE MUSEUMS AND SAW THE DOCUMENTARY FILM THAT
PRECEDES THE BEGINNING OF THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL PROGRAM."
THE TOUR WAS PART OF "THE OLD GLORY HONOR FLIGHT, RETURN TO PEARL" IN WHICH THE PEARL
HARBOR SURVIVORS WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ONE LAST CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR
FALLEN COMRADES.
"THE POWER OF THAT DAY AND THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO DO WHAT GOD AND
COUNTRY HAD PUT THEM TOGETHER TO DO."
"SOME OF YOU SPENT THREE OR FIVE YEARS AWAY FROM HOME. MOST OF YOU ENDURED INCREDIBLE
HARDSHIP, BUT YOU PERSEVERED. LONG BEFORE IT WAS A BUZZ WORD, YOU SHOWED US WHAT IT
WAS LIKE TO BE RESILIENT."
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING ON U.S. FORCES IN PEARL HARBOR.
THE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS PLANNED TO ALSO PAY THEIR RESPECTS AT OTHER HISTORIC
SITES WHILE ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU.
FROM JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, THIS IS PETTY OFFICER DANIEL BARKER.
