Today is a day that we should all reflect…
Really, most of you know I am a Navy brat; my claim to fame is that I was almost born in Canada… still pretty bitter about not having a dual citizenship.
Maybe today affects me more because of the town I mostly grew up in Vallejo was the home of Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Just about my entire family worked out there at some point. My maternal Grandfather wasn’t allowed to sign up after Pearl Harbor, his job on the shipyard was far too important, that didn’t set too well with him at all. My Grandmother had a cousin that was at Pearl Harbor… He had just gotten off of duty and being a good Irish Catholic went straight to church, that’s where he was when his bunk was blown up. My other Grandfather missed the bombing only because the ship that he was on went out earlier than planed for “maneuvers training” they were several miles the other way and didn’t make it back to pearl until the next day. Something that happened years before my mother and father were even born should affect me is somewhat baffling. I have been to the memorial and it effected me deeply. It’s truly hard to put into words the feeling that you get while out there over the sunken ship… So in honor of the fallen, in honor of the day. Please take a moment.
