Re: Pearl Harbor Day

12/04/10 - posted by Mary-Ann

Here's my support for the annual remembrance of this date. I'll be flying my flag, too, Frank.

Although not in San Francisco at the time - my father had been among those who opened Camp Roberts in 1940 - this 10-year-old was pretty scared when we all heard of the attack. We lived in military housing in Paso Robles and all the army personnel immediately reported to the camp. As my Dad was packing up a small bag, I asked him if we were going to be bombed, too, he told me no, I believed him and my fears were alleviated. He was gone for three days. My mother was frightened then, not knowing if Dad had been sent somewhere, maybe overseas. One's imagination must run pretty wild at times like that. He came home, but received his orders to ship out in May of 1942 - to England.

Many years later my husband and I had the opportunity to visit the Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor - and what an amazingly emotional morning that was. Anyone who lived during that war could not help but be overpowered by that experience.