Today, December 7th, 2010 is declared Pearl Harbor Day. Pearl Harbor Day commemorates the unprovoked attack in 1941 of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii by Japanese forces. The attack marked the US entry into World War II. The attack took place on Sunday morning at 7:55 AM. It lasted just over an hour. The harbor was the homeport for the US Pacific fleet. Most of the ships in the harbor were damaged or destroyed. 2,400 Americans were killed and nearly 1,200 wounded. The greatest tragedy was the loss of the Battleship USS Arizona with its crew of nearly 1,200 men.
At the dawn on Sunday, December 7, 1941, the naval aviation forces of the Empire of Japan attacked the United States Pacific Fleet center at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and other military targets. The goal of this attack was to sufficiently cripple the US Fleet so that Japan could then attack and capture the Phillipines and Indo-China and so secure access to the raw materials needed to maintain its position as a global military and economic power.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii on the morning of Sunday, 7 December 1941, which brought the U.S. into World War II. Aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyed five U.S. Navy battleships, along with 188 aircraft, one minelayer, and three destroyers and inflicting over 4,000 casualties. The Japanese losses were minimal at 29 aircraft and five midget submarines with 65 Japanese servicemen killed or wounded.
The 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was one of the great defining moments in history. A single carefully-planned and well-executed stroke removed the United States Navy’s battleship force as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire’s southward expansion. America, unprepared and now considerably weakened, was abruptly brought into the Second World War as a full combatant. The intent of the pre-emptive strike was to protect Imperial Japan’s advance into Malaya and the Dutch East Indies — for their natural resources such as oil and rubber — by neutralizing the U.S. Pacific Fleet (in the fashion of War Plan Orange as practiced by both sides).
This would enable Japan to further extend the empire to include Australia, New Zealand, and India (the ultimate boundaries planned for the so-called “Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere”). The prevailing belief within the Japanese military and political establishment was that eventually, with the then expected German defeat of Great Britain and Soviet Russia, the United States’ non-involvement in the European war, and Japan’s control of the Pacific, that the world power structure would stabilize into three major spheres of influence:
1.) The Empire of Japan controlling East, Southeast, and South Asia and the entire Pacific Ocean.
2.) The combined powers of Germany and Italy controlling Great Britain, all of Europe, Western and central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
3.) The United States, controlling North and South America.
The Japanese high command was (mistakenly) certain any attack on Britain’s colonies would inevitably thrust the U.S. into the war. By contrast, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had moved the fleet to Hawaii, and ordered a buildup in the Philippines, to deter Japanese aggression against China, or European colonies in Asia.
The attack was one of the most important engagements of World War II. Occurring before a formal declaration of war, it spurred the U.S. into World War Two against Japan and then Germany which declared war on the U.S. a few days later, creating a conflict that encircled the world. Roosevelt called December 7, 1941 “a date which will live in infamy”. And that it has…
To all of you that have perished under this surprise attack, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. When I visited the memorial just the sight of seeing so many names on that wall, just is jaw dropping. It is really amazing that you can hear the distant noises from shore during the boat ride over, but once you are upon the memorial, it is so soothingly quiet. It is deafening quiet. If you ever visit Hawaii, you must stop by and visit the memorial. It is so amazing. Thank you to all who have protected our freedom both past and present. It is because of you that I get the freedom to write this blog.
Last year we went to a new years party upon the USS Hornet aircraft carrier located at the former Alameda Naval/Air base in Alameda, California. You can view my recap of what happened that night here: New Years 2010 Recap. Here are a few photos from last year’s event:
If you are looking for a safe, fun, unique, jumpin thing to do on new years, this is the place to be. We will be there. Hope to see you there as well!!
Today, November 11, 2010 is Veterans Day. Today is the day we are to remember those who have served and protected our freedom. Our right to live, thrive, and even protest (To all you protester’s).
First and foremost , to all who are currently serving, or all that have served our country in any one of the many branches of United States military service I want to extend the largest and warmest thank you to you and your dedication to our freedom and way of life. If it was not for you both past and presently serving I would not have the freedom of writing this successful blog. I have the utmost respect for any United States person of Military service. I have so much respect for those of you who did your duties, both those of you that safely returned and those of you who unfortunately did not make it back. My family has had many soldiers in past wars. My Uncle John served in the United States Army in Guadalcanal in WWII.
My grand father (Dad’s side) served in the United State Army during World War II from 1941-1945.
My Grand Father (Dad's Dad)
My grand father (Mom’s side) served in the United States Army during the Korean War.
My Grand Father (Mom's Dad)
My Uncle Larry (Dad’s brother) served in the United States Marines Corp in Vietnam.
My Uncle Larry (Dad's Brother)
My Uncle Harvey also served in the United States Air Force during Vietnam. My Uncle Bill served in the United States Air Force during the 1970′s I think. My Uncle Dave (Dad’s brother in law) served in the Air Force in the mid 1960′s. Dave, my co-worker served in the United States Army. One of my closest friends Jeff served in the United States Airforce during Vietnam, although he was stationed at many different bases but then ended up at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii.
I have a few students from the school that I work at currently serving in the United States Marines. To all of you I do not have the words that could describe how grateful I am of your service of duty.
Unfortunately I am unable to serve. When I was in high school I had the idea of joining the United States Navy. I wanted to be dressed in the proud uniform upon a ship with a noble name. I had asked a recruiter that had came to my school some questions about the service and what the pro’s and con’s were of each branch. I did not mind the level of difficulty, I was more interested in what they could do for me career wise. After I had gotten the information, he had asked me if I had any injury or disabilities that I knew of. I had mentioned to him that I have problems with my knees but had no problem running and keeping up with the head runners in my physical education class. I should have ran track as I was pretty fast (long strides). He mentioned that the issues with my knees should not be a problem as long as I am able to pass the physical training. Then I proceeded to tell him that I also have 85% hearing loss of my left ear. He told me straight. That alone would disqualify me of any military service. Of which I understand, as it would or could be a safety hazard for both myself and my fellow servicemen. I was heart broken. All I wanted to do was to prove to my family that I could make something out of myself by serving my country and the only thing that was stopping me was a hearing defect from birth. I wanted to be one of the few one of the proud and I couldn’t. So I took up a trade after I graduated instead.
My Grand Father (Dad’s Father) WWII Veteran
My grand father (Dad’s Father) who had served through World War II came through it alive and arrived back in the states. He had toured and had seen all of the best and worst parts of the European Campaign. He toured through Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe, Ardennes, And Rhineland. He received a Bronze Star Medal for an act of bravery in an incident that I am unaware of as he died before he had mentioned to anyone how he got it. We didn’t even know he had it until we visited his grave site in the Golden Gate Military Cemetery in San Bruno.
Here are a few photos of him and a few of his fellow troops during WWII He was in the 47th Infintry Regiment 9th Division:
9th Division Patch
My Grand father was killed in 1964 in a freak motorcycle accident a block from his home in San Leandro. From what my dad says, or from what my dad can remember (as he was young then) my grand father didn’t speak about the war at all.
He always tried to be upbeat and funny, the joker of the family. He had to of seen many horrible things in his tour as he drank a lot, and would always come home from a bar after being thrown out for fighting. He just must of had a lot that he couldn’t let go..
Later in the late 1990′s my grand mother (Dad’s mother) had given my dad my grand father’s suitcase which had his personal things. Inside the suitcase was his Complete US Army uniform, photo album from the war (which includes certain things that “didn’t happen” and that are too graphic for this blog.) , the folded flag from his funeral, his metals, and also some Nazi keepsakes and souvenirs he must of collected from his travels abroad in WWII.
So one day I decided to try on the uniform just to see what it would look like… It fit perfect.
(Sorry for the such serious look I have on my face)
I even wore it on Halloween one year and also to a WWII themed dance upon the USS Hornet at the Alameda Naval base.
I wear the uniform proudly to represent my grand father and his military career. I never got the chance to meet him due to his untimely death but I kind of feel close to him when I wear the uniform. I never met him but I love him just the same as my grand father on my mom’s side. I have got to know him through his belongings in the suitcase, stories from family members, and memories from my dad when he was a boy. I am proud to show his photos, and artifacts that he brought back from the war. It is a part of history that is a part of my family history. I am also honored to have the same name as him “Douglas Johnson”. If some how grandpa you can read this, if god has internet, thank you for serving our country. I am proud to be your grandson. I only wish I could have got to know you….
My Uncle Larry (Dad’s brother) Vietnam Veteran
Uncle Larry and Aunt Cindy (Dad's Brother and sister)
My uncle Larry (Dad’s brother) served in Vietnam as a US Marine. He was in the thick over there. He loved to talk about it but I was young when I first knew he had served and I had questions but I never asked him any of them as I knew it made him upset (though he wouldn’t let me know it) Because of that unfortunately I do not know much about his tour of duty. I know few details, such as he was a demolitions defuser. Here are a few photos of him in uniform:
The young kid in the blue is my dad
Uncle Larry and Aunt Cindi Treasure Island
He served his country well and was honorably discharged. (From a story that I vaguely remember) He had said that when he had arrived home at San Francisco Airport (wearing his uniform) from duty, he was approached by a guy that confronted him, calling him different derogatory names including “Baby killer”. He even spat in my my uncle Larry’s face. I understand that there were many crazy idiots over there that had gone mad and killed anything that moved and even made poor choices and a bad name for the soldiers defending our freedom, but that is NO excuse for what that person did to my uncle. My uncle Larry was a great man. He did what he had to do and served to protect our freedom. Little did he know that the public’s view of him as a vietnam veteran would not be a positive one for some time to come. My dad looked up to him as a brother just as I looked up to him as an uncle. After the war, he tried to live a civilized life with starting a family, raising two kids and working for a living. He divorced, and it was just all down hill from there. He got into drugs, and at one point was staying with this one lady who accused him of molesting her children, which was a total lie. My uncle would never think of doing anything of the sort. Unfortunately back then, the jury would believe the woman more so than the man in a trial of that sort. So for the rest of my uncles life he would be considered a sex offender. He was a hero in my eyes no matter what he was labeled or considered. I admired him for his bravery while serving our country. He had PTSD and often slept with the light on. He lived for a lot of years with my grand mother (Dad’s mom) until she passed away. He would then live secluded by himself for a few years until he got in contact with his sons. His son Mike lived with him for a while but was not the greatest quality of person. My uncle got sick later (mostly from drinking) and had to be admitted to the VA hospital in Martinez of which he stayed for about 2 years. Maybe more. He passed away after having complications with diabetes. He was buried in the veterans memorial cemetery in Dixon California. His wrongly accused appellation was finally removed and he was finally honored the way he should have been. Unfortenatly it was in death.. not life. I don’t care what he did in his life, what he was labeled, or what anyone thought of him, he was my hero. I can’t begin to tell you how I feel about veterans like him that have been through hell and back and are not recognized or honored in the proper manner.
Uncle Larry and I (Yep that's me)
I love you Uncle Larry and I hope you know that you have and always will be a hero to me.
If you are wondering why I have written about both my uncle and my grand father it is that I decided to highlight 2 of my family war hero’s in honor of Veterans day.
For all of you veterans out there, you have my utmost respect, gratefulness, and appreciation for serving and protecting our country of the United States of America. You are what America is. What it stands for. You are the the sole reason I am able to wake up everyday, and not have any sort of fear, worry, or concern about my well being. Thank you ever so much for your time of duty. For those who didn’t make it back, you did not die in vain. Because as long as we have troops.. soldiers.. Americans protecting our freedom and accomplishing victory over terror and evil we will forever have the thoughts, memories, and prayers in our hearts and minds that keep you alive and allow us to honor you both in life and in death. To those of you who are serving or have served, there is no way to fully express my gratitude. To those of you who are currently serving, it is in my hopes and prayers that you return safely state side to your family and loved ones.
Sixty-five years after it ran out of gas and crash-landed on a beach in Wales, an American P-38 fighter plane has emerged from the surf and sand where it lay buried — a World War II relic long forgotten by the U.S. government and unknown to the British public.
During those decades, beach strollers, sunbathers and swimmers were often within a few yards of the aircraft, utterly unaware of its existence just under the sand. Only this past summer did it suddenly reappear because of unusual conditions that caused the sands to shift and erode.
The startling revelation of the Lockheed “Lightning” fighter, with its distinctive twin-boom design, has stirred considerable interest in British aviation circles and among officials of the country’s aircraft museums, ready to reclaim yet another artifact from history’s greatest armed conflict.
Ric Gillespie, who heads a Wilmington, Del.-based nonprofit group dedicated to preserving historic aircraft, finds romance as well as historic significance in the discovery. “It’s sort of like ‘Brigadoon,’ the mythical Scottish village that appears and disappears,” he said. “Although the Welsh aren’t too happy about that analogy — they have some famous legends of their own.”
Gillespie’s organization, the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, known as TIGHAR, learned of the plane’s existence in September from a British air history enthusiast and sent a seven-member team to survey the site last month.
It plans to collaborate with British museum experts in recovering the nearly intact but fragile aircraft next spring. The Imperial War Museum Duxford and the Royal Air Force Museum are among the institutions expressing interest.
“The difficult part is to keep such a dramatic discovery secret. Looting of historic wrecks, aircraft or ships, is a major problem, in Britain as it is worldwide,” Gillespie said.
David Morris, curator of aircraft at Britain’s Fleet Air Arm Museum, called the P-38 “indeed a rare bird” that represents “an important link between British and American forces and that part of history labeled WWII. … Few P-38s exist anywhere in the world today, and this is probably the only chance to recover one in as complete condition on British soil.”
British aviation publications so far have been circumspect about disclosing the exact location, and local Welsh authorities have agreed to keep the plane under surveillance whenever it is exposed by the tides of the Irish Sea, he said.
Based on its serial number and other records, “the fighter is arguably the oldest P-38 in existence and the oldest surviving 8th Air Force combat aircraft of any type. In that respect, it’s a major find, of exceptional interest to British and American aviation historians,” Gillespie said.
Officially, the U.S. Air Force considers any aircraft lost before Nov. 19, 1961 — when a fire destroyed many records — as “formally abandoned,” and it has an interest in such cases only if human remains are involved.
The twin-engine P-38, a radical design conceived by Lockheed design genius Clarence “Kelly” Johnson in the late 1930s, became one of the war’s most successful fighter planes, serving in Europe and the Pacific. About 10,000 were built, and about 32 complete or partial airframes are thought to still exist, perhaps 10 in flying condition.
Another P-38, part of a “lost squadron” of warplanes marooned by bad weather in Greenland while being flown to Europe in 1942, was recovered and extensively restored with new parts. Dubbed “Glacier Girl,” its attempt to complete the flight to Britain earlier this year was thwarted by mechanical problems.
The Wales Lightning, built in 1941, reached Britain in early 1942 and flew combat missions along the Dutch-Belgian coast.
Second Lt. Robert F. “Fred” Elliott, 24, of Rich Square, N.C., was on a gunnery practice mission on Sept. 27, 1942, when a fuel supply error forced him to make an emergency landing on the nearest suitable place — the Welsh beach.
His belly landing in shallow water sheared off a wingtip, but Elliott escaped unhurt. Less than three months later, the veteran of more than 10 combat missions was shot down over Tunisia, in North Africa. His plane and body were never found.
The discovery in Wales was stunning news for Robert Elliott, 64, of Blountville, Tenn., the pilot’s nephew and only surviving relative, who has spent nearly 30 years trying to learn more about his namesake’s career and death. All he knew of the Wales incident was a one-line entry saying Elliott had “ditched a P-38 and was uninjured,” he said.
“From the time my uncle was shot down in December 1942 until 1978, we knew nothing. So this is just a monumental discovery, and a very emotional thing,” said Elliott, an engineering consultant. He said he hopes to be present for the recovery.
Gillespie, who last summer led TIGHAR’s ninth expedition since 1989 to search a remote South Pacific island for clues to the 1937 disappearance of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, said the P-38 case is unusual because the crash site is in a populated area.
“This just never happens like this,” he said. “They’re always in the most inaccessible places.”
As the disabled P-38 could not be flown out, “American officers had the guns removed, and the records say the aircraft was salvaged, but it wasn’t,” Gillespie said. “It was gradually covered with sand, and there it sat for 65 years. With censorship in force and British beaches closed to the public during the war, nobody knew it was there.”
It was first spotted by a family enjoying a day at the beach July 31. British authorities said it probably was an unmanned drone used for aerial target practice from the 1950s, but a local aviation enthusiast recognized it from a newspaper photo as a Lockheed P-38.
That person notified TIGHAR, which “quickly and quietly” organized a team to visit the site. Because of the threat of looting, “we saw it as an aviation preservation emergency,” Gillespie said.
He said that since the survey in October, the sands have again buried the plane, and “whether and when it will reappear is anybody’s guess.”
Gillespie, whose father flew 25 bomber missions from England during the war, said his team found some British still feel “a strong feeling of gratitude” toward the young Americans who did that.
“That’s very much a part of British history, and among people we talked to, this is not just an American plane,” he said. “As the lady proprietor of our hotel said when she saw a photo of the plane on my computer screen, ‘that’s one of ours.’”
I know that these are kind of old but still worth posting. I have wanted to post these for a while now but had other articles that I wanted to post before this one. I love old photos and photoshopped photos. These are a combination of both concepts. Here are the photos that I have found on Flikr by an artist named Agan Harahap. I am not sure if this is the original artist. But still really cool to see. All of which are vintage photos from the wwii era:
I have been using photoshop and customizing cars using photoshop for a long time. I really love seeing vintage photos manipulated and making it look like it was never edited. Great job on these!
Hey everyone! I am always looking for things to spend the money I don’t have. I love gadgets, disneyana, old cameras, ford pinto related items, wwii items, and much more. Well the other day when I was looking on craigslist, I decided to search for playland. This was my first time searching for anything playland related on craigslist. I have done a few searches on ebay but never on craigslist. Anyways I noticed a listing that said “VINTAGE 1967/68 – Playland At-The-Beach * Ticket Book (MINT) * Unused – $25 (novato)“
I have a full unused ticket book for Whitneys – Playland At-The-Beach, in San Francisco.
It is a MINT CONDITION, complete with all 20 tickets – each for a 10 cent ride.
This is an “original” not a reproduction.
Tickets expire at the end of 1968 so figure these were issued somewhere around 1967/68.
Ticket booklet measures 2” tall x 5 ½” wide (approx)
There are (5) tickets per page – 4 pages = total of 20 tickets.
The ticket booklet is complete, very clean and MINT.
Slight discoloration on back cover (It looks like this might be the way it was printed – see pic)
$25 * Shipping is possible
He had similar photos like this of the ticket book
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So I asked him if he would take $20 and he said “that’s a fair price” so we made the arrangements for me to go to Navato to pick them up (about and hour drive from my house) When I got there and he showed me the tickets I was stunned on how nice condition they were. Not one bend in them! He even was nice enough to put them in a clear plastic cover then into a hard plastic protective sleeve! So I gave him the $20 and took them home. These are really a great piece of playland memorabilia. I am glad I was able to get them. Here are some photos of the actual tickets:
The only visual damage was this price marking that must of came from the garage sale he bought it from
$20 might be steep for a ticket book that originally cost $2.00 but where can you find these? So I really think that I found something fairly rare. When was the last time you seen tickets for playland? Most likely when you last went to playland. These will be in my collection of local americana for a long time. I have NO intention of selling these. I can now say that I own a piece of Whitney’s Playland at the beach
For those of you who do not know what playland is please check out my blog entry about playland. Playland was a beach side amusement park located across from Ocean beach in San Francisco. Here are a few photos of Playland. Playland unfortenatly closed in 1972 and was replaced by condos..
Three Dance Floors on the Enclosed, Heated Hangar Deck!
Period Attire Welcome!
Cash Bars & Food Concessions Available!
FREE PARKING!
Free Dance Lessons by
Jim Truesdale, former Fred Astaire dance instructor 7:30pm – 7:55pm
GLENN MILLER OCHESTRA 8:00pm – midnight
Dancers and spectators alike can enjoy the many hits that made it to the Billboard chart including:
“American Patrol”
“In The Mood”
“Sing Sing Sing”
“Under The Apple Tree”
Singing Blue Stars of the USS HORNET
perform a “Tribute to the Andrews Sisters” during intermission
TICKETS: Admirals’ Premium Reserved Seating – $98
Best View of Stage; Great Access to the Dance Floors
Captains’ Reserved Seating – $68
Limited View of Stage
General Admission – $45
($50 at the Door if Event is not sold out)
First-Come Seating Behind All Reserved Seating
Group Rates Available
Museum Members receive $5 OFF Each Reserved or Cabaret Seat (limit 4)
Your ticket stub is good for free museum admission through September 30, 2009.
Proceeds to benefit USS Hornet Museum, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization
Food Concessions
Englund’s Café & Catering will have their famous
“Hot Sandwich Plates” available for purchase on the night of the dance.
Choice of: Barbecue Tri-Tip or Smoked Turkey, includes two side salads
Keepsake Photos Doorstep Photography will be offering keepsake photos from your memorable night on the USS Hornet.
Photos are printed during the event so that you can take the photo home with you.
SPONSORS
NEXT DANCE:
Monster Bash featuring The Cocktail Monkeys — Saturday, October 30, 2010
New Years’ Eve Ball — Friday, December 31, 2010
See our Events Calendar for upcoming entertainment aboard the Hornet
Information and Reservations: (510) 521-8448 x 282.
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We had a blast at the new years party they held. It was a top notch event. The only gripe that I had was the food. But they have hired a new caterer. We had so much fun, and it was an amazing feeling being dressed in period attire and dancing the night away on a ship that survived during the period these styles of clothing and music were at their peak.
I really got to thinking that if a ghost was to materialize no one would ever know.. lol. If you enjoy old music, great dancing, and a great atmosphere you have to make it to this event! I am going for sure!!! I will dress in my grandfather’s WWII Army uniform again. I often wonder how many times he danced in his uniform. I have a photo of him from when he was at a club near by Fort Bragg in North Carolina wearing the uniform.
My Grampa Johnson
Unfortunately I didn’t get the honor to meet him before he passed. When I wear his uniform I feel so proud. It is an honor to wear his uniform. Its the only thing that I really have from him. So this is my way of paying tribute to him and remembering him. I never met him but I am damn proud to be his grandson.
If you are interested in going to the event you must purchase tickets via their website: USS Hornet Big Band Dance
This week, work has been really taking a toll on me. This week is just a 4 day week, but it has felt like a month and its only Wednesday!!! I really wanted to post a nice memorial day blog entry, but my family and I had a BBQ. So this is my belated memorial day blog.
I may not agree with the “war” we are in still over in Iraq and surrounding areas, but I do strongly appreciate what our troops are doing for us here back at the states. Freedom IS NOT FREE. I have had many veterans in my family. My dad’s father (my grandfather) was a WWII Army Veteran (recently found out he was in the thickest areas, including Normandy, Battle of the bulge, and French occupied Morocco), my uncle John (Guadalcanal WWII vet) My Mom’s father, (my grandfather) is a Korean War (or action depending on how you choose to see it) veteran, my uncle Harvey (My great uncle on dad’s side) a retired lieutenant colonial in the US Airforce who served during vietnam, my uncle Bill (my dad’s cousin) also in the US airforce, uncle Larry (my dad’s half brother) a Vietnam Veteran, my great grandfather (my mom’s mother’s father) worked in Lawrence livermore labs during the development of the A-Bomb, and was an engineer (if I remember correctly), Jeff Dunn (my co-worker, teacher, and all around friend) who served in during the Vietnam war (but stationed in Hickam AFB Hawaii, guam, and I am sure some places he can’t disclose) my student Carlos Granados currently a US Marine, and my buddy Nick Milosovich a former US Marine since honorably discharged. I tip my hat of to all of my family and friends that have served or are currently serving. If it was not for my physical medical problems I would of been right there along with you all (my knees are tore up from chronic skate boarding abuse) I have the most respect for all who have served, if it was not for you preserving my freedom, I would not be able to write this blog right now. Even though memorial day is meant to remember those who have fallen and those who gave their lives for our freedom, I still believe that we should also thank those who made it back, sometimes they returned a different person. When I think of that, I first think of my Uncle Larry who served during the Vietnam War. He was in charge of demolitions such as defusing bombs/minds, blowing up unexploded bombs/minds, and the use of C4 and other items. He seen a lot of really horrible things while on tour over there. It really tore him up inside. He was a changed man when he returned. He slept with the light on, had minor flashbacks, and became somewhat reclusive. I was young when I first learned he was in the war, and I had questions about the war, and he really didn’t mind talking about it, but I always knew that it made him upset and uncomfortable and though I really wanted to know a first hand account of the Vietnam war, I never asked him, because I knew it affected him. Now that he is gone (from complications of diabetes from exposure to agent orange.. I mean.. whats angent orange? the government never used that… yeah right!) all of that info has gone with him. When he returned from the war he was shunned upon by the bitter public, called “a baby raper/killer”, spit on, assaulted, and harassed, just because he went over there and just because some sick crazy vigilante soldiers had made a bad name for the rest of the soldiers. To me, he has ALWAYS has been and FOREVER will be a hero to me. If you were one of those who harassed the returning soldiers back then just know this!!! – The veterans who did their job, preserved our freedom, and came back looking for comfort in the USA, will NEVER forgive you for what you did to them and for how you made them feel upon their return to the states! For those who rebelled and made vulgar statements to OUR soldiers returning from any war, I offer you this question.. WHY weren’t YOU willing to help preserve and protect OUR freedom like THEY did for all of US instead of protesting and dodging the draft? You did not have the testicular fortitude to protect and preserve OUR country’s freedom.
I am sorry for the venting but it really bugs me. Hits me right in the heart. The only time my uncle Larry was memorialized, honored, and put into the shining light of being a patriot to our country was when he was buried in the Dixon Military Cemetery with a head stone reading:
My Uncle Larry Vietnam Vet US MARINES
Harvey Peckovich
US Marines
Vietnam War
My sincere thanks to all of you who have served in ANY war or police action through out history. I have all of you to thank for my freedom, my way of life, and everything that is great in my life. None of it would be possible if you did not do your time in vast lands that are beyond the horizons, beyond humanity, and beyond belief. Thank you SO much for EVERYTHING you have done for the US, our country, and our homeland. If you are over seas, currently serving, whether you are sitting in a base wrenching on a humvee, to stationed at a security check point, to in combat currently in the middle of a fire fight, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families in hopes of your safe return state side. Give’m Hell!
“No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country”. – George S. Patton
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” – George S. Patton
Thank your local veteran for their service.
Vintage bomber takes visitors on ‘Sentimental Journey’
So any who.. as you know this is a blog about retro and vintage things. So going along the lines of memorial day, I believe that the machines and equipment that got our troops to places, helped neutralize areas, and or kept our troops safe can also be considered a veteran. A great example is the B-17 planes of WWII. The Flying fortress. Here is another B-17 that is still dipping its wing tips into the clouds even after 65 years. These are so stunning to see in the air. It is like a flying building. The props are so loud, and the presence of this plane in the air is really something. I work at a school that is near the Hayward airport. There is a B-17 (The Aluminum Overcast) that flys over the school and no matter what I am doing, I STOP and look.. I may be in mid sentance and I stop talking and look. It is spectacular that something that large can actually fly and with little effort. Here is another B17 that you can visit if your near the St. Louis Regional Airport, it is on display and giving rides untill Sunday June 6th.
The most authentic World War II B-17G Flying Fortress, “Sentimental Journey,” will be on view for tours and available for flight opportunities at St. Louis Regional Airport, starting Thursday until Sunday.
Restored as a flying museum and memorial by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing, the visit offers the public an up-close look at a piece of aviation history.
“Flying in the plane is such a wonderful feeling,” said the plane’s load master and safety officer, Diane Carl of Mesa, Ariz. “It’s a great way to honor our veterans; a lot of the time, we’re able to give our World War II vets a ride.”
Ground tours cost $5 for ages 13 to adult; $3 for children ages 5 through 12; children under 5 are admitted free. Hours are from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, with the aircraft departing Monday afternoon.
Reservations can be made to take a 45-minute flight by calling (602) 448-9415. The experience includes boarding, the engine start, taxiing, taking off, flying, landing and shutting down.
A flight on this famed bomber, named after a popular Doris Day song from 1945, costs $425 per person for the waist section and $600 per person in the nose section, with a portion of the flight cost being tax-deductible.
All proceeds from the tour benefit “Sentimental Journey,” with volunteers serving as crew members.
“The ‘Sentimental Journey’ is the only remaining B-17 that is combat-ready,” Carl said. “Although all the shells are blanks, the bombs, the .50-caliber (machine) guns and the ball turrets are all in place as if they were ready to go.”
Built in 1944 by Douglas Aircraft, the bomber was manufactured too late in the war to see service in the European Theater. Instead, the aircraft was assigned to the Pacific for the duration of the war, eventually doing duty as a photo-mapping plane and then later in atomic bomb tests in the Bikini Islands.
The plane took its final military orders in 1959, after which it flew thousands of sorties against forest fires throughout the country for the following 18 years. In 1978, the plane was donated to the newly formed Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a nonprofit organization.
The plane underwent several years of extensive renovations before once again taking to the air, stopping at as many as 60 different airports around the country each year.
A famous pin-up picture of Betty Grable graces the plane’s nose. The plane carries the markings of the 457th Bomb Group that was based in Glatton, England, during World War III with the U.S. 8th Air Force.
In recent years, the plane has seen “duty” in movies and TV series “All the Fine Young Men,” “1941″ and “Wings.”
“For the airplane enthusiast, it’s an opportunity to have a museum come to the visitor instead of the traditional other way around,” said Rick Senffner, organization spokesman.
The B-17 Flying Fortress was famous for daylight bombing raids over Germany during World War II and could sustain such significant battle damage that the aircraft lived up to its name, the Flying Fortress. Out of 12,731 built, there are only about 10 restored and airworthy examples remaining.
Aviation gifts will be available for purchase through the PX. See the Arizona Wing CAF Web site for more information about “Sentimental Journey” at www.azcaf.org.
I love these planes. These are really an awesome piece of history. I encourage you to take a look at the plane, take a ride, and relive a piece of history. It is a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you all for everything you have done for our country and thank you for your dedication to our country. You are our only source of security for our freedom. Thank you for your time in whichever branch you served. As the late night talk show host Craig Ferguson says at the beginning of every show, “It’s a great day for America”.. thanks to our enlisted men and veterans.
My third post about the road trip that my family and I took last weekend. The furthest North we went in California was to Klamath California. This town has the best of every aspect of California. They have access to the wonderful national redwood forest, and also access to the pacific coast. The beach that we stopped by was so perfect in so many ways (other than being cold). When we were there it had just rained a few hours before arrived at the beach, it was a clearing before the next storm. Beach is completely vacant. You can see the thunderhead clouds rolling in and shadows along the waves and little sunlight rays peeking through the holes in the clouds and touching the wave tips. Here are a few shots of what I could capture, although the photos do not do it justice.
Along our journey we stopped at the Trees of Mystery. Trees of Mystery is a roadside attraction in Klamath, California. It is alongside US Highway 101 in the Redwood National and State Parks. The property contains a number of unique tree formations, hence its name. It includes a 15 meter tall statue of Paul Bunyan and a 10 meter Babe the Blue Ox. In 2001 an aerial tramway was installed called the Sky Trail. It takes visitors to an observation deck where they can enjoy a view of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding forest.
Here are a few examples of the odd trees we seen:
There are more photos of these odd trees and more in the gallery below. Click on one to view:
The trees of mystery tour is awesome. You must stop by and take the tour. It is a little bit of a hike but nothing that you can’t handle.. Take the drive, see the trees and then go chill at the beach.
Sorry for not writing a blog as religiously as I have been, I am wrapping up the final days of this school year, and a lot has been going on that is really kind of interesting. coworkers are retiring who I thought that they would outlast me at the ROP center. Some of the greatest teachers are not given contracts for various reasons. It just has been really crazy. I hope all the best to all of them as they find a better place in this economy. Any who, as I mentioned on Monday, my family and I went to the California Redwood forest of which I decided not to do a typical blog about the trip, I decided to do it in segments and individual posts. Today’s post is about Natures Drive Thru. What is that? In northern California they had a total of four redwood trees that you can drive your vehicle through I have been through three due to the fact that the Wawona tree fell due to its slight lean to the side and a load of snow on it’s crown. People have been driving through trees since 1887 starting with the Wawona Tree in Yosemite National Park. Here are some vintage photos that have been take through out the years of people and their vehicle driving through the trees.
This video was from South40db’s youtube. Clark and Erna Rogers, Dennis and Aggie Bayer took a 702 mile 3 day trip in their 1952 and 1953 Citroen Traction Avant cars. they went from Sausalito, CA to Grass Valley-Auburn-Fort Bragg-Leggett and back down the coast to Sausalito. In Leggett we drove our tractions through the Chandelier Tree.
So now that you have seen the many people and various vehicles that have passed through the drive thru trees, here are the photos we took of us and our red ford focus going through the 3 trees that are located in northern California.
So this concludes the post of the Nature’s Drive Thru. If you have the chance to visit these trees please do so.. It is an experience of a lifetime and it’s really a beautiful drive.
@CraigyFerg. What is the #6 pin on your suit represent? I have seen other celebs wearing it too. Posted: 2 weeks ago
May you command the NY Ball drop as your iconic countdown permeates the crisp night air in an embodiment that will reverberate forever. #RIP Posted: 1 month ago
Mr. Clark, may you spend eternity doing what you love most; broadcasting wonderful and entertaining commentary to the angels. #RIPDickClark Posted: 1 month ago
@CraigyFerg hello craigy & geoffy. what are your middle names? If Geoff doesnt have one, maybe it could be "Ichabod", "gaylord" or "corky"? Posted: 2 months ago
@CraigyFerg hello craigy & geoffy. what are your middle names? If Geoff doesnt have one, maybe it could be "Ichabod", "gaylord" or "corky"? Posted: 2 months ago
To all of you that have perished under this surprise attack, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. When I visited the memorial just the sight of seeing so many names on that wall, just is jaw dropping. It is really amazing that you can hear the distant noises from shore during the boat ride over, but once you are upon the memorial, it is so soothingly quiet. It is deafening quiet. If you ever visit Hawaii, you must stop by and visit the memorial. It is so amazing. Thank you to all who have protected our freedom both past and present. It is because of you that I get the freedom to write this blog.
(Sorry for the such serious look I have on my face)
I wear the uniform proudly to represent my grand father and his military career. I never got the chance to meet him due to his untimely death but I kind of feel close to him when I wear the uniform. I never met him but I love him just the same as my grand father on my mom’s side. I have got to know him through his belongings in the suitcase, stories from family members, and memories from my dad when he was a boy. I am proud to show his photos, and artifacts that he brought back from the war. It is a part of history that is a part of my family history. I am also honored to have the same name as him “Douglas Johnson”. If some how grandpa you can read this, if god has internet, thank you for serving our country. I am proud to be your grandson. I only wish I could have got to know you….
