About 1700 we headed out to Waikiki for a luau at the Armed Forces Recreation Center, the Hale Koa Hotel. While we waited in the garden atrium, we were entertained by a joint Navy Pacific Fleet  and Sea Cadet band performance. As we quieted down for the music to begin, we recognized some of the musicians. We had met them earlier in the week at the Submarine Chow Hall during breakfast – members and directors of the Sea Cadet Band of the West.

There were a total of twelve Pearl Harbor Survivors in the audience this evening. The bands closed with a medley of Armed Forces Anthems. When the anthem of their service branch was played, each of the Survivors rose to their feet, some struggling out of their wheelchairs, some helped by family and others popping up on their own adrenalin. The Survivors saluted to the music these young men and women played, and touched their lives forever. They will Always Remember Pearl Harbor.

 Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Members Attend Luau

As the sun began to set, we followed a winding walkway into tropical gardens. Now it was time for an ancient Hawaiian tradition. Greeted with a lei, our Survivors were taken back to an old Hawaiian setting of thatched hale (houses) that protect guests from the misty rain, but keep the outdoor ambience. We had an opportunity to meet some young Marines and military families, sign autographs, and enjoy the beauty of the gardens. Then it was time for the Imu (Hawaiian underground oven) ceremony followed by a bountiful feast of native delicacies. The luau show took our guests on a musical journey through the islands of the South Pacific, including the graceful hula and a live fire dance! What a spectacular evening.

pearl harbor honor flight members will be forever grateful for this journey

Ford Island is located in the center of Pearl Harbor surrounded by water deep enough for large ships to pass. Purchased in 1918 by the US War Department, it was understood that both the Army and the Navy could use Ford Island for the defense of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. The Army Air Corp occupied Ford Island until Hickam Field, located across the bay, was completed in 1940. Ford Island then became exclusive property of the US Navy. This island was the epicenter of the December 7^th, 1941 attack where the bulk of the Pacific Fleet was anchored. Ships were not the only things attacked that day, nearly all the airplanes in and around Ford Island were damaged or destroyed.

Two World War II vintage airplane hangers (#37 & #79), located on Ford Island, and still bearing battle scars from the December 7^th, 1941 attack, contain the Pacific Aviation Museum displays and the restoration shop. Our Pearl Harbor Survivors spent part of their time on Oahu going through this museum and recalling their experiences with similar planes. They had opportunities to meet with museum staff as well as other visitors and have a little “hangar talk,” (that’s pilot story telling).

Pearl Harbor Pacific Aviation Museum Displays

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Salutes USS Utah

The USS Utah, a World War I vintage ship, was being used as a bombing target while in Pearl Harbor in 1941. This ship took two torpedoes to the port side and listed severely. The crew were used to being “bombed” by the Army and Navy everyday, so when the alarm clanged a few strokes and stopped, they headed below deck to take cover. The most senior officer, sensing the ship would not last long, had the deck officer order all hands topside. In a matter of minutes the last mooring lines broke and the ship rolled over entombing 58 men. A memorial to honor the Crew of the Utah was dedicated in 1972 on Ford Island adjacent to the ship’s wreck. Since that time, the remains of a number of Pearl Harbor Survivors have been interred with their shipmates. One such ceremony occurred while we were in Pearl.

pearl harbor honor flight members say one last goodbye to crew of the uss utah

December 7, 2011 – Pearl Harbor Day was filled with memorial ceremonies commemorating the Japanese attack December 7, 1941. Following the 70^th Ceremony at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, Pearl Harbor Survivors Cass Phillips and Bill Braddock travelled to Naval Air Station, Kane’ohe Bay to attend the Klipper Memorial Ceremony.

Seventy years ago, aircraft of the Japanese Imperial Navy attacked NAS Kane’ohe. At 0752, the quiet peace of a Sunday morning was torn asunder by strafing machine guns and bombs exploding. Service men and women as well as civilians grabbed weapons and scrambled to defend the air station. Among these was Pearl Harbor Survivor, Cass Phillips, at the time a radioman first class, in the barracks.

“I was up getting ready to go have breakfast, when we looked up and saw the planes flying by. We thought that they were Army planes. I said Look they are really making this look realistic, they’ve got meatballs painted on the side of the planes.” Cass Phillips recalled.

All the explosions and smoke soon brought him to understand that this was no drill.

“We saw lots of people running toward the hangars and we joined them. We ran inside as more planes flew over dropping bombs. My buddy and I ran to a corner room. On the way there we noticed a fellow sitting against the wall. When the bomb exploded, we saw him rise up and settle back down. He never moved after that. When we checked on him later we found that he was dead. The same thing happened to one of our squadron, VP-11, members who had been on guard duty in the plane over night. He was mortally wounded when the plane was strafed.”

A commemorative plaque hangs on the wall of Hangar 101 honoring the seven Patrol Squadron 11 servicemen killed that day. In addition, a plaque and a painting were presented in honor of Naval Ordnance Chief John Finn. His heroic actions included firing back at the Japanese planes with a machine gun set up on the plane ramp. He received 27 wounds that day but returned to the squadron area after first aid treatment, to supervise the rearming of returning planes.

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Participates in Klipper Memorial Ceremony

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Tours Base

Following the ceremony, Cass and Bill Braddock walked around the hangar grounds noticing the bullet strafe marks and bomb damage still preserved as a daily reminder to “Remember.” They also were able to visit the building that was Cass’s barracks in 1941, now converted to offices. He recognized the theatre and chow hall, too.

Bomb repair

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight – Personal Remembrance

From here our group travelled to Makapu’u Point for a personal remembrance ceremony. April 5, 1942, four months after the Pearl Harbor attack, Navy flight crews patrolled the waters off O’ahu. The weather was bad – rainy, windy, with zero visibility that night. The crew on board one of four Navy planes that flew out of Kane’ohe that day, part of Cass’ VP-11 Squadron, were returning to base after flying 12 hours and 20 minutes. They were dangerously off course.

The crew was on its second long-range patrol, flying without navigational aids, under a blackout situation as well as bad weather, mistook the Makapu’u Lighthouse for Barbers Point. As they were making standard pattern turns to land, they slammed into the hillside 200 yards south of the lighthouse. All nine men were killed instantly in a crash that has remained shrouded in obscurity. At the time, the Islands were under martial law and the military didn’t report such accidents to the local news. From 1942 to 1945, there were crashes almost daily on O’ahu accounting for about 800 aviation deaths on the island.

The Hawaiian Aviation Preservation Society located the crash site and after months working with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources obtained permission to erect a granite monument listing the crew’s names and ranks. This structure was dedicated on April 5, 2006.

Cass recognized three of the nine names. He could have been on that plane, too, if he had not left Hawaii earlier for flight school in Pensacola. He wanted to honor his comrades’ heroic efforts. We went to the Makapu’u State Shoreside Park where Cass placed a flower lei into a shallow pool along the rocky beach. “Their sacrifices will not be forgotten,” he said.

Pearl Harbor honor flight honors the crew of vp-11 lost on april 5, 1942

We were going over the bridge to the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center early Wednesday morning. The streets, parking lot and park grounds were already mobbed. This city takes December 7th ceremonies seriously. Our Pearl Harbor Survivors and support team made their way to seats under the tent. Our six Pensacola area survivors were a strong Florida representation among the 120 estimated survivors in attendance.

Jets flying over the site at seven fifty-five AM, breaking into a missing man formation marked the beginning of the memorial ceremony. The program included letters and speeches from government officials, military and national park leaders and a Pearl Harbor Survivor. A battleship passing in review, the placement of wreaths in memory of service men lost during the attack and the appearance of the daily rainbow were highlights. The events of December 7, 1941 were vivid in the minds of all survivors. Everyone attending was visibly moved by the service. We will ALWAYS REMEMBER Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Photos

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Members Appreciate the Opportunity to Say “One Last Goodbye” to Their Fallen Comrades

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Returning to Pensacola Saturday

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight veterans and support team will be arriving in Pensacola on Saturday morning, Dec 10 at 10:00 AM on American Airlines. Our heroes have had quite an exciting and emotional experience. They noticed quite a few things that have changed in the last seventy years – especially all the lights up on the hillside at night. Many of the current 1.2 million people who call Oahu home live near Honolulu; all that area used to be fields. The roads have improved and my, the traffic has increased.

They visited the locations near where they were on the morning of December 7, 1941. Some places had really changed, but other buildings were exactly the same as they were that day. Marine Bill Braddock, looked and looked for the flag pole near the Marine barracks. He knew when he found that he would get his bearings. Sure enough, when he found it, his face lit up. Then he found the barracks and the chow hall where he and his buddies were eating breakfast that day. He was transformed into the nineteen year old of 1941. Memories of a place he never thought he’d see again were fresh in his mind.

We will continue to add more information to this website; but for now, it is time to pack to head back to Pensacola. We look forward to meeting our well wishers when we return on Saturday morning.

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight – the right thing to do!

Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 138 wish to thank all the people who have made this historic experience possible. Just because we’re coming home, the initiative is not finished. We learned so much on this trip, we are excited to share it with everyone.

Pearl Harbor honor flight expresses sincere appreciation to our supporters.

Today the Pensacola Pearl Harbor survivors toured Hickam Air Force Base, Headquarters Pacific Air Force. Here they were briefed by Steve Diamond, PAF historian. This building received tremendous damage when the Japanese dropped bombs on it. Damage to the walls has been preserved.  The group also visited the Courtyard of Heroes which has a memorial sculpture dedicated to Air Force servicemen and women.

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Experiences F-35 Lightning Simulator

Next they visited a F-35 flight simulator. Cass Phillips made military history! He is now the first and only Pearl Harbor survivor to fly an F-35 Lightning and land it on a carrier in the simulator. He caught the third wire, too.

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Attend USS Arizona Memorial Service at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Our Pearl Harbor survivors were invited to join the USS Arizona survivors in a memorial service held at the punchbowl, final resting place for thousands of servicemen killed during fighting in the Pacific theatre during World War II and the Korean War. Many of these heroes are un-identified, but certainly not forgotten. The service allowed us an opportunity to pay our respects to those who died when the USS Arizona sank and those few who still remain.

 Pearl harbor honor flight participants are grateful for this opportunity

Monday morning found most of us awake and ready to go by five AM. We headed for breakfast at the submarine base mess hall, the Silver Dolphin Bistro. Eating was an after thought as our Pearl Harbor survivors met with other active duty sailors, officers, other survivors and young navy cadets. Animated conversations were followed by “Thank you for your service” and hand shakes.

Following breakfast, we went to the submarine memorial, pausing at the plaque of subs lost during the war and talking with other area visitors.

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Time for Some R&R

Next stop: Hilo Hatties. Shortly after our arrival, the hula performances began. Drums and hips rolled and hands told stories as only Hawaiian Hula dancers can. George Mills recalled how his late wife, Veronica, used to dance for Hilo Hattie.

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Visits the USS Arizona Memorial

Later in the afternoon, our heroes boarded the Admiral’s barge for a boat tour of Pearl Harbor with a historian and the Commander, Navy Base Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor survivors from all around the country were on board for this special voyage. As we moved around the harbor, the historian refreshed our memories of which ship was tied up where and pointed out other landmarks. The barge stopped near sunset at the Arizona Memorial. Our survivors went into the memorial and paid their respects to fallen comrades, over a thousand service men killed on this ship, including all twenty-one of the Arizona band members, known to our survivor Frank Emond.

 Before the harbor tour was over, Cass Phillips came to me and asked to take a photo of him with a comrade, a fellow he just met who had been in his squadron in the Aleutian Islands. They had shared acquaintances but never met until now.

Pearl harbor honor Flight is grateful for this opportunity to honor their comrades

Our travel, December 4, 2011 day began at three forty-five Sunday morning. American Airlines check-in went smoothly. Channel 5-television commentator arrived for interviews with our heroes. Boy Scout troop 608 was also on hand. They gave each of the Pearl Harbor survivors a special commemorative pen. From check-in we moved through security, including a few random pat-downs for those for whom the metal detector squealed. Some fellow travelers changed their travel plans in order for our plane to meet weight requirements. We hope their travel was safe.

By six twenty-five we were airborne! The American Eagle crew were so caring. They shared our heroes’ stories with all the passengers, made the flight safely through the rainy weather, and took time at the end of our flight to Dallas to pose for a photo.   Dallas airport staff transported us to the USO facilities where the survivors met with some active duty troops and enjoyed some snacks before boarding the wide body jet flight to Hawaii. Once seated in the plane, the pilot moved through the cabin greeting each survivor. Soon we were in the air on our way to Pearl Harbor. Eight hours later, our heroes received floral leis and applause as they entered the terminal. Everywhere they paused people approached and shook their hands, thanking them for their service to America, seventy years ago. Our Pearl Harbor survivors visited with other active duty military in the Hawaii USO lounge while waiting for our vehicles.

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Arrives in Pearl Harbor

By seven PM, Hawaiian time, we had checked into Ford Island Navy Lodge and were ready for dinner at Schooners. After a relaxing meal on their lanai, we were all ready for sleep! This had been a long exhausting travel day, but we had made our destination. Everyone went to sleep smiling, thankful to American Airlines, the USO and everyone else who have helped us get here.

American Airlines staff welcomes                               George Mills is interviewed by               Pearl Harbor Survivors and support team.                 Channel 5 from Mobile, Al

Boy Scout Troop 608 greets Pearl Harbor                 American Eagle flight team poses with survivors at the Pensacola Airport                              Pearl Harbor survivors

Cass Phillips visits with Dallas USO director              Bill Braddock is greeted by American                                                                                      Airline captain prior to take off

Jim Landis welcomed at Hawaii USO                       Frank Emond and travel companion                                                                                        Patricia Wertanen arrive in Hawaii

Jay Caraway and daughter Tina Sutton                    Holly Shelton and George Mills receive are welcomed to Hawaii                                            receive leis.

pearl harbor honor flight survivors thank all  who have made this trip possible

Pearl Harbor Honor Flight

Six members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Chapter 138, are packed and ready to fly out of Pensacola Florida early Sunday morning. The airport manager encouraged us to arrive at four AM. Our heroes said, almost unanimously, “That means three forty-five,” as they remembered the military fifteen minutes before post rule.

Airport personnel have been extremely helpful providing updates on all TSA rules, complete with VIP bags. We went over all the medical requirements for handicapped travel. American Airlines, our air carrier, donated tickets for this flight through their charity arm, Air Compassion for Veterans, and are providing donuts and coffee once we get past the Security Check point. One vet wanted to know if he could bring some sardines.

American Eagle will carry the Pearl Harbor Survivors and their support team to Dallas/Fort Worth airport. From there we will take a wide body jet across the Pacific Ocean to Pearl Harbor, arriving about half past three Sunday afternoon.

Upon our arrival, our veterans, ages 89 to 93, will head for Ford Island to pick up John Sterling (Founder of Pacific Aviation Museum) and Dick Girocco (Pearl Harbor Survivor, VP-24) for a windshield tour of Ford Island. There should be lively conversation about what used to be and where. We will be immersed in living history.

The attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941, changed lives forever. Our heroes were there, right in the middle of a terrible beating. Our plans include a visit to the places where they were that morning. Memories will be stirred.

Founder, Holly Shelton and co-organizer, Lt Col Bill Phillips, USAF (ret) as well as the support crew, have worked non-stop to get everything together to make this the trip of a lifetime. Our Navy Survivors, including one Marine, have shared their experiences throughout the Florida panhandle to raise awareness of the importance to “Remember Pearl Harbor – Always be Alert.”

We appreciate the community support from individuals, schools, businesses and charitable organizations. They have opened their hearts and have found this initiative to be a worthwhile endeavor.

The veterans of Pearl Harbor Survivors Assn., Chapter 138, are a part of the ever-dwindling numbers who are able to travel to Pearl for the annual memorial ceremony. This will be their opportunity to honor their comrades and all others who served America during World War II. This will be their chance to say “One Last Goodbye.”

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The Pensacola Civic Band performed several concerts in October to benefit the Pearl Harbor Honor Flight Initiative. Directed by Don Snowden, the patriotic performances included a presentation by Pearl Harbor Survivor, Frank Emond during the band’s performance of “At Dawn We Slept”. Holly Shelton, our founder, also sang. Before the show ended, Frank Emond got to direct the band as well. The performance took place in the Ashmore Auditorium at Pensacola State College to a sold out audience. Lots of attending veterans from all the military branches were recognized during the evening.

Pensacola Civic Band Makes Presentation to Pearl Harbor Initiative

Director Don Snowden and Bob Horick from the band present a $1700.00 check to Pearl Harbor Initiative founder, Holly Shelton and co-organizer, LtCol Bill Phillips.

Pearl Harbor Initiative Thanks Pensacola Civic Band