What’s INSIDE
Remembering George H.W. Bush See page A-2
December 7, 2018
Learn the history of Freedom Tower See page B-1
Meet the MMA fighters See page B-2
National Guardsman helps others See page B-4
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Volume 9 Issue 48
Forging the Future Ed Stone, USS Pyro Pearl Harbor survivor, looks at the USS Arizona memorial during a white boat tour Dec. 4 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Three Pearl Harbor survivors and their families sailed across the harbor to view the memorials of all the ships that sank during the day of infamy, Dec. 7, 1941. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet D. Jackson
National Park Service The National Park Service and the United States Navy will host the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 77th Anniversary Commemoration C e r e m o n y, t o d a y, t o h o n o r a n d remember the 2,390 American casualties lost during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the island of Oahu Dec. 7, 1941. The ceremony will begin at 7:50 a.m. and take place on the ceremonial lawn at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Pearl Harbor survivors, World War II veterans, family members and local dignitaries will be in attendance. Adm. Philip S. Davidson, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, will deliver the keynote address. A moment of silence will be observed at 7:55 a.m., the exact moment the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began. A ship will render pass-in-review honors to the USS Arizona and all Pearl Harbor survivors. A missing man flyover conducted by the 199th Fighter Squadron, Hawai‘i Air National Guard and the 19th Fighter Squadron, U.S. Air Force will follow.
This year’s theme, “Forging the Future,” highlights events in 1943, the second year after the attack, as the United States rose to face challenges — both at war and on the homefront — in order to achieve greater peace, freedom and democracy in the world, including in Japan and in Europe. “The brave veterans of World War II, including one of my grandfathers who served in the Army and one of my wife’s grandfathers who served right here in Pearl Harbor, gave us a lasting peace we are committed to preserve,” said Rear Adm. Brian Fort, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. “They forged the future, and we will always remember their legacy, service and sacrifice here at Pearl Harbor.” “We are honored to welcome survivors, veterans and witnesses to the commemoration of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day,” said World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Superintendent Jacqueline Ashwell. “Together we remember the events that took place 77 years ago, and honor the actions of brave individuals that continue to affect us today.”
Highlights of the ceremony will also include music by the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet Band, a Hawaiian blessing, wreath presentations, a rifle salute by the U.S. Marine Corps, a vintage aircraft flyover and echo taps in recognition of the men and women who survived the attack and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country Dec. 7, 1941. The ceremony will be broadcasted live online. Arrive early if you plan to attend in person. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center will open at 6 a.m.
Tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial Program USS Arizona Memorial programs will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 6 a.m. No reserved tickets will be available.
handbags, fanny packs, backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags and luggage. Visitors may bring wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, canes, umbrellas, jackets, sweaters, small wallets, medication, small cameras and camcorders, cell phones and small sealable beverage containers. All items brought into the visitor center are subject to inspection. The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park has a bag storage facility near the entrance to the visitor center. This service will be available for free from 6 to 10 a.m., after which a nominal fee will be charged. Additional information on the visitor center’s bag policy is available at nps.gov/valr.
Attire
This event will take place rain or shine on the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center’s ceremonial lawn. Please wear appropriate footwear. Military are not obligated to be in uniform for this ceremony. Military members who choose to Bag Policy wear uniforms to the site are encourVisitors are not allowed to bring items aged to wear Class B or better. that offer concealment inside the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Such items inVisit www.pearlharborevents.com for clude (but are not limited to) purses, more information.
‘Blackened Canteen’ ceremony honors fallen Story and photo by MC3 Cole Pielop Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii Whiskey slowly pours from the charred canteen as it splashes against the hallowed waters surrounding the USS Arizona Memorial. Sharply dressed men, whose countries years ago were mortal enemies, solemnly stare at the water as the two liquids meet. U.S. and Japanese military members and civilians observe the annual Blackened Canteen ceremony in commemoration of Pearl Harbor Day, at the USS Arizona Memorial, Dec. 6. In June of 1945 over Shizuoka, Japan, two B-29s collided mid-air, killing the 23 Americans on board. The morning after the wreckage, Fukumatsu Itoh recovered a blackened canteen, bearing what is thought to be the handprint of its former owner. Hiroya Sugano, M.D, a child at the Itoh, a devout Buddhist, began an antime, whose family lived through the bombings, was also at the wreckage nual ceremony to honor those who lost the same day, but wouldn’t meet Itoh their lives during the war. It began with a prayer and was followed by pouring bouruntil some time later.
Daniel Martinez, National Park Service chief historian, (Right) and Hiroya Sugano, M.D. (Left) pour bourbon whiskey into the waters to pay their respects to the lost service members during the ‘Blackened Canteen’ ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial.
bon whiskey from the canteen onto the crash site. Itoh’s devout fortitude throughout the years had a great impact on Sugano. Before Itoh passed away, Sugano
promised to carry on the tradition, which he has faithfully executed since 1972. “I personally feel that consoling and paying respect to the souls of all of the fallen, regardless of who they are, is the first step toward international reconciliation and world peace,” Sugano said. “I truly feel that my prayer has been answered.” The commemoration is a moment for attendees to observe continued peace between the two nations and honor the victims of the events that took place during the war. “I’m so sad that we lost a generation of our most promising young folks to war,” said retired Lt. Col. Gary Meyers, a volunteer at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. “But then I’m happy that I see this appeasement of former enemies. This represents reconciliation at its finest.” After emptying the canteen, flower petals were dropped into the waters representing the lost service members, taps was played and benedictions said. The boat moored back into the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the guests dispersed, each with a new understanding for how far the two countries have come.