Recently, I was in the lobby of the Hilton across the street from the airport in New Orleans. I noticed a bus in front of the hotel and congregated around were veterans in their unit/ship identifying caps and their wives. An elderly gentleman, with the help of his wife was moving toward the exit door and I noticed on his cap the name "USS Nevada". I know enough about the attack on Pearl Harbor to know the USS Nevada was one of the battleships that was attacked and sunk and bore the distinction of being the only battleship to get under power/steam and make a break through the channel for open water. Unfortunately, the Nevada was struck by both torpedos and bombs and it took a very heroic effort to ground the big boat and keep it from blocking the channel into the harbor, which would have been disastrous.

I approached the man and said "Sir, by any chance, are you a Pearl Harbor survivor?" He said "Yes sir, I am." and then he proceeded to tell me the story of his then recent promotion to Seaman 1st Class and how he and his buddy had gone into town the night before to celebrate. He could have stayed on land, but they decided to return to the ship and were awakened rudely the next morning to the sound of rushing feet, alarms, explosions and machine gun fire. He worked below deck, but made his way off the ship after it was run aground. He wanted to continue his tale, which I was more than happy to accommodate, but the bus was about to leave. I told him what an honor it was to meet him and we bid each other farewell.

I know I'll never forget these men.

Jim