A PACIFIC HISTORIC PARKS PUBLICATION
A FINAL FAREWELL
INTERMENT AT THE
USS ARIZONA Photo Credit: Brett Seymour
WINTER 2020
CONTENTS
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President’s Message
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Interment at the USS Arizona Memorial
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Youth Peace Symposium
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Rendezvous with History: Donald Long
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Record Number of Wounded Warrior Divers
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Monologue at the Museum Program at
War in the Pacific National Historical
Park (Guam)
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NEA Big Read Program at American
Memorial Park (Saipan)
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Meeting Everett Hyland
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You Make It Happen!
MISSION STATEMENT To support the USS Arizona Memorial and other Pacific historic locations through education and interpretive programs, research, preservation, and restoration, to perpetuate the memory of events and honor the people involved in these sites.
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President & CEO Aileen Utterdyke
94-1187 Ka Uka Blvd. Waipahu, HI 96797 www.pacifichistoricparks.org (808) 954-8729 Toll-free: (888) 332-1941
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Board of Directors Neil A. Sheehan, Chairman Alan Mattson, Vice-Chairman Clif Purkiser, Secretary Jeff Bell, Treasurer James M. Boersema Noel W. Bragg
REMEMBRANCE WINTER 2020
Remembrance is published four times a year as a benefit to Friends of Pacific Historic Parks.
Board of Directors (cont.) Alma M. Grocki Patricia A. Lucas Edward J. Lynch Mark Y. Matsunaga Edward H. Noh Alby L. Saunders Mathew Sgan James E. VanDerKamp Kwai S. “Sunny” Young Directors Emeritus James K. Sylva Geoffrey M. White
Legal Adviser Joachim P. Cox Publication Advisers Aileen Utterdyke Jim McCoy Shannon Eberhart Edean Saito Sarah Walsh Layout & Design Chase Nuuhiwa
PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE This edition’s cover story focuses on the historic interment of a USS Arizona sailor who is the last to be laid to rest with shipmates killed 78 years ago. History. That’s what our nation witnessed during the early evening hours of December 7, 2019, in a special ceremony marking the final interment of a USS Arizona survivor. Lauren Bruner was laid to rest, joining 43 fellow Arizona survivors who also chose to be interred alongside the majority of the 1,177 Arizona sailors and Marines killed on December 7, 1941. Most of the men killed 78 years ago are entombed in America’s most iconic war grave. Bruner was one of four remaining USS Arizona survivors. The final three, Lou Conter, Ken Potts and Don Stratton, have chosen to be buried with their families. So that meant the service aboard the USS Arizona Memorial and interment in the battleship below was the last one. Sadly, the number of World War II survivors continues to dwindle. During the traditional early morning ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, 34 members of the greatest generation were in attendance. They included USS Arizona survivor Lou Conter, who vowed to make it to next year’s ceremony and the 80th anniversary in 2021, when he will be 100. Our coverage in this edition also includes an update on a unique program in which wounded veterans are taught to scuba dive and then do research to preserve and manage the USS Arizona.
The work was conducted during the week of December 7, coinciding with the Lauren Bruner interment that featured US Army divers who donned original WWII dive suits and vintage helmets as they transported Bruner to his final resting place. Wounded Veterans in the Parks is in the second year of a three-year pilot funded by donations to Pacific Historic Parks. We also focus on a new program PHP launched last year as part of an effort to instill peace within communities that were prior mortal enemies. Students from Hawaii joined via live video conference students from Nagasaki, Japan at the first Youth Peace Symposium. The students focused on their personal connections with the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the A Bomb Museum in Nagasaki. In 2019, some 40,000 students visited the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and another 13,000 took part in off-site educational programs from our park sites in the Pacific, nationally and internationally. PHP’s mission is to Remember, Honor and Understand World War II in the Pacific by ensuring that future generations will honor and be inspired by all that occurred at Pearl Harbor and throughout the Pacific. We thank the donors who make these important programs possible.
AILEEN UTTERDYKE
President & CEO
A copy of the latest financial report, registration filed by this organization, and a description of our programs and activities may be obtained by contacting us at: 94-1187 Ka Uka Blvd., Waipahu, HI 96797, (808) 954-8777. Pacific Historic Parks was formed in Hawaii. If you are a resident of one of the following states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency: Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA), OR VISITING www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration #CH17306 Georgia: A full and fair description of our programs and our financial statement summary is available upon request at our office and phone number indicated above. Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage, from the Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Pacific Historic Parks may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement. Nevada: Contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to the provisions of sec. 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. ¤170(c). New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. New York: Upon request, from the Attorney General Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the state. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Pacific Historic Parks may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Virginia: From the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: From the Secretary of State at 1-800-332-4483 or http://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/ West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Wisconsin: A financial statement of the charitable organization disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal year will be provided to any person upon request. REGISTRATION WITH A STATE AGENCY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THAT STATE. More information about charity state disclosures and charitable solicitation registrations.
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INTERMENT AT THE
USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL Its history and a final farewell to Lauren Bruner By: Amanda Thompson, Pacific Historic Parks Daniel A. Martinez, Chief Historian, NPS PHOTOS BY: Brett Seymour A/V Production Specialist / Deputy Chief, NPS Submerged Resources Center
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pon entering the Shrine Room of the USS Arizona Memorial, visitors are confronted with a massive marble wall that lists 1,177 names of the officers, sailors and Marines killed aboard the battleship on that fateful day, December 7, 1941. At the base of the memorial wall there are two box-like structures made of marble that flank each side (left & right) of the Shrine Wall. Engraved on these structures are the 44 names and dates of men who have had their remains interred within the ship. Unlike the men on the wall behind them, these survivors lived full lives, had careers, families and were given the opportunity of returning to the Arizona to rejoin their shipmates upon their passing. These gentlemen in particular, felt the calling to come back to the ship and re-join their shipmates for their eternal rest. Today, interment ceremonies are hosted by the National Park Service and the United States Navy. It takes place aboard the USS Arizona Memorial located along Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Certainly it is one of the most unique ceremonies in the United States and for the most part, the world. Beginning in 1982 with GM2c Stanley Teslow, the U.S Navy began interring the remains of USS Arizona survivors upon their request. Candidates for interment must have been aboard the USS Arizona during the December 7, 1941 attack. Also, they are required to sign paperwork and submit required documents to validate a military funeral. Interment services are coordinated closely with the family to ensure that the ceremony is handled in the manner and wishes of the departed. The solemnity is felt by all who attend as it serves as a funeral service for the departed. It includes a military committal service, the interment of the cremains, a rifle salute, TAPS, a flag presentation for the family and the unveiling of his name in the Shrine Room. These traditions of the ceremony were established by the USS Arizona Reunion Association. The US Navy decided that the rate or rank was to be recorded on the interment marker as to the one they held on 7 December 1941.There was one exception, Ensign Joseph Langdell, was off the ship at the time of the attack as he was assigned to the Fleet Camera Party on Ford Island. Special consideration was made for Langdell to be interred. A new policy was then set that now allows any crew member assigned to the Arizona on December 7, 1941 to be interred on the ship. So on December 7, 2015, Joseph Langdell was interred and recorded as an Ensign.
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Beginning with Jim Taylor, a retired Navy Chief who worked in Public Affairs for Navy Region Hawaii, the duties of the interment coordinator were determined by the Navy and managed from 1982-1994. In 1994, the Navy extended an invitation to the National Park Service to partner in hosting the Interment Ceremony. On September 10, 2019, Fire Control Chief Lauren Bruner, one of the 4 living survivors of the USS Arizona passed away at 98 years old. Being the last living survivor who intended to be interred within the ship, the coordinating committee knew that this ceremony needed to be special. Arrangements began with the family for the ceremony to be held on the 78th anniversary of the attack. When the day came, the mood was somber. Lauren was loved by all who knew him. His infectious smile, his cunning wit affected us all, but there was an undying feeling of calm. On that day, active duty US Army divers from the 7th Engineer Dive Detachment wearing original WWII dive suits and vintage Mark 5 helmets took Lauren to his final rest. As the sun was setting over the waters of Pearl Harbor, the Interment procession of Lauren’s caretakers, Sheila & Max Callison, and brother Chester Danforth, made its way to the dock that rests alongside the USS Arizona Memorial. Once there, Lauren’s family and friends touched the urn for the last time. The divers cradled the urn and elevated it above the water so that all could see. Slowly, they descended and moved toward the well of barbette of gun turret number 4. That day Lauren Bruner not only joined his shipmates who had perished aboard the Arizona, but he also became the 44th member of that special band of brothers that chose to return to the ship that had been so much a part of their lives.
LAUREN BRUNER,
USS ARIZONA SURVIVOR Thousands attended this year’s December 7 Commemoration Ceremonies to honor members of the greatest generation. Just 34 World War II veterans attended the 78th anniversary event. As in years past, they remained the centerpiece as guests showed up early to honor them. The ceremony under clear skies featured a missing man flyover, a Hawaiian blessing, a Prayer for Peace, a rifle salute and taps, along with a host of speeches.
“Those of us who wear the uniform now certainly understand the gravity of the legacy that we inherited from the Greatest Generation and we strive every day to honor your service with our service,” Rear Adm. Robert Chadwick told the veterans. “And gentlemen, you are a tough act to follow.” The crowd responded at the conclusion of the ceremony by lining the pathways at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to meet, greet and applaud these heroes. The National Park Service’s theme for this year’s ceremony was “Glimmers of Victory” referring to the American defeat at Pearl Harbor and how quickly the war changed in 1942 with three key events. The morale raising Doolittle raid on Tokyo in April was followed the next month with American forces preventing the Japanese Navy from invading Australia. In early June 1942, American forces prevailed in the Battle of Midway, sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and changing the course of World War II. This September 2, America will pause to remember the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II.
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YOUTH PEACE
Symposium
By: Jennifer Sagon-Taeza, Education Specialist
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f you dream it, you can achieve it‌a simple phrase that brought us to our first annual Youth Peace Symposium. The PEACE program or Peace Education And Collaborative Endeavors, considers collaboration, initiative, and shared vision as the foundation for youth to lead as model citizens, and instill peace within their community, and our world. The first annual Youth Peace Symposium was held at Pearl Harbor National Memorial on December 5, 2019. The use of technology via Edutainment Learning by Ralph Krauss, provided the opportunity for youth participants from Hawaii and Japan to engage in conversation and present their perspectives on peace. Participants represented Nagasaki University, University of Hawaii Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hawaii Technology Academy, Mililani Middle, Highlands Intermediate, Waipahu Intermediate, and St. Joseph Parish School. Middle and high school youth led a virtual tour of our museums to share the history
of Pearl Harbor and the path towards reconciliation, forgiveness and peace. Research was conducted on an exhibit of interest during a semester long communitybased elective. Youth presented their newfound knowledge and interpretation of peace as a result of their research. Nagasaki University focused on the personal connections made between the A Bomb Museum in Nagasaki, Japan and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii. 5 Nagasaki University students were chosen for a 2-week internship at Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Students engaged in research to support the history of Pearl Harbor and volunteered their time to put into practice their communication and social skills with visitors and staff. The 2-week internship concluded with a group presentation of their research and volunteer experiences. The idea of peace is often referenced to a tragic event in history or conflict resolution. Presentations by youth representing Matsunaga Institute for Peace,
was initiated through personal connection and perspectives of peace beyond the conventional perceptions. The first presentation focused on climate change and its effects on peace building. Another presentation showcased how health care interconnects with peace. The symposium concluded with student representatives from Hawaii and Japan engaged in a peace discussion through a student panel. A series of questions focused on peace initiatives were generated and answered by the students. It is a privilege and an honor to work alongside Yoshi Tsurumi, principal of Hawaii Innovative Knowledge Institute, and JosĂŠ Barzola, Educational Specialist for the Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Ralph Krauss, Digital Innovations for Edutainment Learning. Our mission and shared visions has led us to the first of many Youth Peace Symposiums.
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Rendezvous WITH HISTORY CMDR Donald Long
Radioman 3rd Class Don Long. Throughout his Navy career he became a pilot and rose to the rank of Commander before retiring.
By: Amanda Thompson, Oral History Consultant
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he attack on December 7, 1941 encompassed the entirety of the island of Oahu, not just the base at Pearl Harbor. At 7:48am, the Naval Air Station at Kaneohe Bay saw the first of the Japanese planes fly over the mountain range when bombs began to fall. NAS Kaneohe Bay was a newly constructed base and the site of a major patrol seaplane base. Along the shoreline of the bay were 33 PBYs both on the ground and floating on the water. Don Long was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1921. During the Depression, he got a job with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCCs) and enlisted in the Navy in March 1941 due to the growing unease in the conflict in Europe. After attending boot camp in San Diego, he became a radioman. He was sent to NAS Kaneohe Bay just a few months before December 7th. Here is an excerpt from his account of the day of infamy: “I got up and had breakfast and along about 7:30, I ended up at the boathouse where we would be taken out to the airplane. There were, I think, 4 planes on the water, the number is disputable and the watch who were out there from the previous day was set to be relieved. Our plan for the day that day was I was going to be practicing with the tower doing blinker practice. For the blinker you can sit in the pilot’s cockpit with an aldis lamp, it’s just one of these portable blinker lamps that you can communicate with Morse Code. Now this was 7:45 in the morning, I did this for about 5 minutes. I recall getting the aldis lamp out and ready. Along about 7:50, I heard airplanes in the area. I looked out and saw planes, quite a few of them. I assumed that it was the Army Air Corps up on Sunday maneuvers and I didn’t know what they were doing working on Sunday, but minutes later there was bombing activity. Onshore, I saw some of the bombs hit and explosions and then minutes later there were
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fighter planes diving toward our planes. There was bombing going on the shore and then the fighters came and strafed the planes that were on the water. When I first saw this happen, I was up in the cockpit and I didn’t have a life jacket on, but when I saw that, I thought I should get a life jacket. There were little fountains of water squirting up from the bottom of the plane. I forgot about a life jacket and on the next run, the plane just burst into flames. It did not explode, but there was fire everywhere and I am in the middle of it so my thoughts were ‘get out of this thing no matter about a life jacket.’ I had to go through the fire to get out to the rear blister. So, I got to the rear blister and of course all around me for about 50 or 60 feet the water is “burning” because there was gas and oil in the water and it was all on fire. I jumped into the water. I say jumped, not dove, because we were taught in boot camp that under “combat conditions,” you don’t ever dive, you jump, because if there’s debris in the water, your feet can take it better than your head. We’d also been taught how to swim under burning water. You swim away as far as you can underwater toward the edge of {the fire} and when you do need a breath, you come up with your hands over your head on the water and break with your hands first going like this (waving arms) to break the water and the fire goes away from you. I think it took me about 3 times of doing that before I was clear of the fire. I looked around and a couple of hundred yards away, I spotted a marking buoy, so I went out there and hung onto the buoy for a while, while watching the action ashore. If you know someone who would be interested in sharing their Pacific War or homefront story to be preserved in our Oral History Collection, please contact us at info@pacifichistoricparks.org. To see Long’s full oral history and others like it, visit our digital collection at www.pacifichistoricparks.org.
RECORD NUMBER OF WOUNDED WARRIOR DIVERS Conduct Research on the USS Arizona Image of Jeff Combs, Marine veteran
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record number of veterans turned scuba divers participated in Pacific Historic Parks acclaimed Wounded Veterans in the Park (WVIP) program. Twelve wounded warriors conducted research on the USS Arizona during the historic week surrounding the 78th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. “It helps us wounded divers to be able to connect with each other and feel a sense of belonging to the community that so much wants to give back but yet we feel like because we’re disabled that somehow we don’t have the ability to give back,” said Army veteran Brian Schroeder. “This whole program has been amazing and very emotionally and mentally uplifting just to be able to help out and feel like we have a sense of belonging and worth and being able to help do this.” Marine veteran Jeff Combs said the experience has been the highlight of his life. “Scuba diving has opened so many doors for me not just within the dive world, but when I was injured there were several years that I didn’t want to do anything. I didn’t want to be part of any disability group, I wanted to try to just act like it didn’t happen and through LifeWaters they got me in the water, they got me diving and it has turned my life around 180 degrees,” Combs said. The program is mission oriented, with WVIP divers checking for signs of new movement on the sunken battleship as part of ongoing studies into its structural integrity. They also deploy collection tents over areas that Bunker oil is still leaking 78 years after the attack. The fact the work was done over an iconic American war grave during a historic week hit home. “As you swim past and you see the shoes, you see the bottles, you see the plates, to know that there were men here and that shoe belonged to someone. It’s just an absolute incredible feeling of reverence,” Combs said. “I’m truly honored and humbled to have been part of this organization.” The WVIP program began with a handful of veteran divers. “We started small, but with the help of generous donors, we are growing and want to make this a permanent program,” said Aileen Utterdyke, CEO and president of Pacific Historic Parks. “Besides the obvious benefits to our veteran heroes, there’s important research to be done on the USS Arizona as it ages and continues to leak oil. Their work is important.” PHP also conducts “live dive” events in the Visitor Center Theatre in which the audience views a diving operation and the WVIP divers take questions from the audience.
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MONOLOGUE AT THE MUSEUM:
From Page to Stage
A Youth Writer’s Workshop
By: Amanda O’ Brien, Education Coordinator, War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam
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ith a loud rumble and blinding flash, the skies opened up and brought forth a torrential downpour. The storm’s intensity grew and mirrored my own as the narrative neared the pinnacle. Fortuitously, the annual Chagui’an Massacre Memorial was happening later that week and a canopy had already been set up for the occasion. From the portable PA system, the singer’s wavering voice floated through the steamy summer air, “Oh, Chagui’an, Every year the rains fall on this day. Chagui’an, Oh, Chagui’an, They fell, like tears to wash the blood away.”
Workshop, we visited that tragic setting. I remember sending a silent “thanks” to the universe. The confluence of the rain, the song, and the historic site lent a haunting and impactful boost to my lesson on setting the mood in storytelling. The Monologue at the Museum: From Page to Stage Writers’ Workshop was coordinated in partnership with Pacific Historic Parks and playwright, Diane Aoki, with assistance from War in the Pacific National Historical Park. This program integrates fine arts/theatre into schools’ core curricula and encourages the island’s youth, their families, and the community to engage with the stories of people during World War II on Guam.
In June of 1944, the U.S military began the recapture of Guam from the occupying Japanese forces. On August 8, American Marines navigated up a bull cart trail through Chagui'an and discovered the decapitated bodies of 45 CHamoru, hands tied behind their backs, slaughtered by retreating Japanese forces.
Each program participant chose a unique historical figure to research and participated in daily content themed field trips throughout the island along with afternoon writing workshop sessions.
As part of a week-long Youth Writers
“The best part [of the workshop] was to
Participants praised their workshop experiences:
be in an environment where you can get motivated by others.” “…we did not only learn, but we felt the CHamorus’ struggles as the days went on.” “[The best part of the Writers’ Workshop was] the massacre tent, raining moment.” Students presented their finished monologues to their families, friends, and staff members. One student chose to write her grandmother’s story, while another wrote about his great-uncle’s war experience. “The final performance was excellent,” said Ranger Ashton Williams. “I was surprised to find myself getting a little misty-eyed during some of the monologues!... Some of the kids were even related to the people they wrote about and I think that’s a very special and unique thing that couldn’t happen many places.” Eight monologues of historic figures were produced for the Day at the Museum events during the 75th Guam Liberation festivities.
“I never gave up though. I stayed strong and stood my ground. Which leads me to tell you this Che’lu…Maseha taimanu minakat-na I linala-mu, na metgot hao, ya chamu hinahalang. ‘Even with all the hardships life throws at us, we must always stay strong.’” - Excerpt from the Francisco Chaco Carbullido Monologue written by his great-grand-nephew, Jerimiah John Diaz, Grade 9
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NEA BIG READ PROGRAM at American Memorial Park By Jovannalyn Mafnas, PHP-AMME Education Specialist
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acific Historic Parks was one of 79 organizations awarded a National Endowment of the Arts Big Read grant to host a community reading program on Saipan. The NEA Big Read seeks to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The 2019 NEA Big Read Program in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) focused on When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka. This historical fiction novel follows a Japanese American family in California during World War II after they are sent to an internment camp in the Utah desert. The sharing of this novel gave readers a different perspective of World War II, providing insight as to how it was like being a Japanese American and living in the United States during this difficult time. Prior to World War II, the CNMI was under the Japanese Administration for 30 years. Many of the indigenous people were taught to speak Japanese and even
today that influence is seen in the language and culture of the indigenous people. This past year, we commemorated the 75th Anniversaries for the Battle of Saipan and Tinian by not only remembering the battles that took place, but all the people who were involved. After the Battle for the Marianas, the surviving indigenous people and Japanese civilians were placed in internment camps on Saipan where they remained for two years. Although this was a turning point in CNMI history, when they were no longer under the Japanese Administration, there is not much known about the time in the camps. Through the sharing of this family’s story during the NEA Big Read Program, we hope to encourage young readers to start discussions, make connections and learn more about the history of their home. In partnership with the National Park Service, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, CNMI Public School System, Northern Marianas College and other various community partners, Pacific Historic Parks was able to reach readers throughout the CNMI on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Funding from the grant allowed us to purchase over 800
copies of the NEA Big Read title, When the Emperor was Divine to be distributed to libraries, schools and during NEA Big Read events. The distribution of the books to all public libraries, middle schools and high schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota meant more people could participate in this community reading program. Teachers and librarians were given reader’s guides and lesson plans to assist them in incorporating the book into their curriculum. Throughout the program, various book discussions and special events were held at the park, as well as in libraries and classrooms throughout the island. Participants were also able to meet the book’s author, Julie Otsuka, through a video call at the American Memorial Park Visitor Center Theater. For many students and educators, this was an amazing opportunity as it is not often that authors make a video call to meet readers. The NEA Big Read Program was a big success and the books continue to be circulated in the libraries and schools where more people will be able to enjoy the story for years to come.
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MEETING EVERETT HYLAND Kyoko Nakayama, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Education — Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan Kyoko is an educator working in Tokyo, Japan. During the mid-2000s, she participated and supported PHP’s (AMMA’s) teacher’s Pearl Harbor workshops over a number of years acting as a key facilitator, translator and presenter. The following is a deeply personal story of her interaction with Pearl Harbor Survivor Everett Hyland.
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met Mr. Everett Hyland at the 2005 Pearl Harbor workshop. The workshop was held for teachers from both Japan and US. I participated in the workshops from 2004-2010 as a coordinator. I met many Pearl Harbor survivors during the workshops. The 2006 workshop was very memorable for me. Workshop participants listened to the World War II survivor’s wartime stories. I remember it was beautiful day. I was listening to the story of a Navy pilot who had attacked the Japanese battle ships off Leyte in the Philippines. He looked so proud to share his story with US teachers. But my heart was frozen and I was no longer able to listen anymore to their war stories.
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My grandfather had been killed off of Leyte in the Philippine conflict. It was that moment in history that hit me. I thought that he might well have been the person who attacked and killed my grandfather and then suddenly Everett Hyland with Kyoko (middle) I couldn’t stop crying. I tried to grandfather was a kind of instant lip control my emotions, but tears never service just to make me calm down. stopped. I stood looking out at the One month later, in Japan, I found harbor in front of me at the surface of an envelope in my mail box. It was a the water trying to compose myself. letter from Mr. Hyland. There were the Then Mr. Hyland came and asked me, words “Dear Mago-musume Kyoko “Hi girl, are you okay? What happened Nakayama” “Your grandpa Everett to you?” I told my situation to him, Hyland” on the envelope. Mago means and then he said to me. “That is so sad grand children, musume means history. Okay, now you have another daughter. I cried again. grandfather. I just became your Ojichan, “grandfather”. Never forget you His offering in Hawaii was not instant have your grandfather here in Hawaii. lip service! We exchanged many letters Everett Oji-chan.” after that. I last visited him when I traveled to Hawaii in 2014. I teach at He had a heartwarming personality Teikyo University in Tokyo. I have often which I felt. I told him my best regards shared this story with my students and gave him my business card. I when I talk about the war and peace in thought his offer of becoming my my class. — Kyoko Nakayama
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Shop online at www.phpstore.org Prayer for the Dead
“Eternal rest grant unto them and let perpetual light shine upon them and may they rest in peace.”
Robert M. Bishop USS Tennessee Austintown, OH
James H. Evans Submarine Base North Carolina
Floyd F. Keniston USS Pennsylvania Bryant Pond, ME
Charles “Chuck” Mitchell USS Honolulu Navajo County, AZ
Walter Borchert USS Worden Laconia, NH
George W. Hursey Fort Shafter Brockton, MA
George C. Larsen Coast Guard Base Diamond Head Petaluma, CA
Donald F. Tabbut Ford Island NAS Wintrop, MA
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You Make it Happen!
Your contributions help us meet our mission to ensure that the legacy of the valiant, courageous men and women who served our country during World War II are never forgotten. We would like to recognize and thank the following donors for their recent contributions.
IN HONOR OF Lauren Bruner Lou Conter Lonnie Cook Ken Potts Donald Stratton Stan Cromlish
LEGACY SOCIETY
Tom Millsap Heidi Friedlander
Andrew Watson, USA Rick and Jo McClellan
Hideo Sakai, USA David Sakai
Kim S Orlando Charles E Gamble II
Albert O'Brien, USA Wanda O'Brien
AMMF Founders Mathew Sgan
Clif Purkiser Carlee Russell
John H Vincent John H Vincent
James Graff, USA Cecilia Tolentino Flores David Hruska, USA S Sol Flores David McClellan, USN Nona Flores Donald Stratton, PHS, USN
Wilma and Richard Boudreau Benjamin Wygant
Marjorie M Bruckmueller Rev Nicholas Inman
IN MEMORY OF Al Rodrigues, Sr Beverly Au Victor Miranda Mary Brush Richard N Clapp Richard E Clapp
Herbert Weatherwax Lilana Golden Clarence & Carrie Weatherwax Herbert & Lehua Weatherwax James Polk Betty Humphrey
Ferry Schoonover, USA Rick and Jo McClellan
Everett Hyland Roberta A Sullivan
Benson T Mercure Michael D Mercure
James D Sylvester Christine Sylvester
Michael Sajna Curtis Pavlick
Charles G Walsh, USAF Sarah R Walsh
Harold Keith Stephanie Cosgrove
Charlie R Jones, USN (Ret) Charlie & Skipper Jones Jr, USN (Ret)
Clifford Provencal Mary Jeanine Provencal
Victor Miranda Charlene Wood
Bernard A Gilhart Robert S Gilhart Randall S Gilhart, USAF
Paula Kendrick John Kendrick
Donald R Rombalski Ronald & Joanne Rombalski
Ed J Zuchelli Virginia Zuchelli Patrick Zuchelli
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Heidi Lund
SPECIAL THANKS TO AMVETS THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS Jeffrey & Junko Ady Martin L Belko Napua Dahlquist Stephen & Deborah Jerry & Karon Ahrenstein Dwight D Daniel Benefiel Aina Meals Frank & Irene De Nave Vickie & Terry Benjamin Jessica Allis Kristin G DeCoster Donald C Bergh Aloha Aina Pottery Studio Judith DeGraff Thomas C Busard Eric G Anderson Daniel J Del Monte Jr Robert & Irene Nathan A Anderson William A Delaney Charpentier Scott T Antinoro Ronald & Ann Marie Harold & Maxine Childres DeMarco Aulani, A Disney Resort Manuel Ciarcia and Spa James D Denison James R Clark Frank B Austin John & Nicole Drew II Coca-Cola Bottling of Alfred P Aveiro Drybar Waikiki at Hawaii, LLC International Marketplace Robert & Barbara Baroni Jr Kenneth Coates Michael & Marilyn Ellicott Leigh W Barrett Dixie L Cranford Steven & Gail Bauer Edward Curry Kathy Follett
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Colleen Forkel Owen Fujimoto Jo Fuller Germaine's Luau Ghost-Tactical LLC Kary W Goetz Daniel Goodman Roger Grosnick Angelica Hacker Patricia Hangach Debbie Becker Hassed Hawaii Polo Oceanfront Trail Rides Tina M Hendrix Howard Hertz
Thomas Imke Les & Tonya Isaacowitz Aina Grill Jacqueline L Jackson Angela Buehler James Michael A Johnson Ronald & Mary Ann Johnson David & Jean Juedes James & Sue Kelly Carrie & David Kennedy William Knott III Ko Hana Distillers Kona Brewing Company Karl P Kraemer USAF
REMEMBRANCE WINTER 2020 call (808) 954-8729 or visit www.pacifichistoricparks.org To donate,
DeeDee E Dellos Revocable Trust Karl Kuether Carol Lancaster James P Larsen Sr Andrew Lockwood Norman & Patricia Long Patricia A Lucas Merrily Mahon Main Party Rentals HI Christopher Martinez Marriott International, Inc William Harvey Massicot USN (Ret) Mark Y Matsunaga
Teresa McCoy Ronald Michl Dennis L Miller Thomas & Wendie Millsap Jack & Clara Moore Sue A Moser James & Jody Mueller George & Marie Murdaugh USA Blade and Timber Honolulu Yvette Nagtalon George Nelson Jeffrey & Lucille Newton Mark A Norman Robert & Tara Oda Pacific Harley-Davidson Pacific Islands Institute, Ltd Paradise Cove Luau John Patterson Daniel E Pepping Andrea Perkins Pepsi Beverage Company Keith & Brook Plavec James & Pamela Poley David M Powell Polynesian Cultural Center Ronald & Patricia Purdy Yvonne Randle Red Lobster Joseph W Richard Rodger & Judy Risch Randy Ritchie Phillip J Ronish Shawn T Ruby Steve Russo Edean Saito Alby L Saunders Steven Shay Allan & Laurie Shikhvarg Vernon & Fredreca Stone Mike & Kimberly Stritzinger Jill L Swanson John H Takayesu Taro Brand David Taylor The Moped Connection Larry W Tilbury Bill Tuccillo Aileen Utterdyke James R Valdez Jr June E Valentino James & Barbara VanDerKamp USS Corry Association #817 Vera Bradley at Wailkele Premium Outlets Victor & Calliopi Viviani Paul & Marla Vranish Steven L Walesh Joseph & Judith Whitt Howard & Gail Wilkes Timothy Wright Hiromu Yogi Lynne Zahnle James B Zazas Frank & Marcia Ziemba
The Legacy Society Create a legacy that will ensure history will never be forgotten Since 1980, millions of people from every state of our nation and from 40 countries around the world have seen, experienced, and been inspired by the valor and sacrifices of the Greatest Generation at Pearl Harbor and throughout the Pacific Basin. The Legacy Society was created to acknowledge and celebrate family and friends who desire to keep history alive and to honor the sacrifices of the World War II generation. Members have affirmed Pacific Historic Parks in their estate plans or through other planned gifting arrangements. Planned gifts provide a unique opportunity to preserve our country’s military heritage through supporting Pacific Historic Parks while possibly receiving tax benefits on income. TYPES OF PLANNED GIFTS Charitable Bequest Life Insurance Life Income Gifts Charitable Gift Annuity Charitable Remainder Trust
I’m interested in discussing my options for a planned gift with Pacific Historic Parks. Please contact me at the number listed in the form below. I already have a planned gift set up for Pacific Historic Parks. Please specify type: _________________________ Pacific Historic Parks may recognize my membership in The Legacy Society in its publications. ___________________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ___________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________________ Email
Established in 1979, Pacific Historic Parks is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt cooperating association committed to preserving the legacy of our historic heritage by providing support of research, preservation, restoration, education and interpretive programs to the National Park Service at World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument (Pearl Harbor), War in the Pacific National Historical Park (Guam), American Memorial Park (Saipan), Kalaupapa National Historical Park (Molokai) and Diamond Head State Monument (Oahu).
WWW.PACIFICHISTORICPARKS.ORG
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94-1187 Ka Uka Blvd. Waipahu, Hawai‘i 96797
World War II and Pearl Harbor Survivors at the Pearl Harbor Commemoration on December 7, 2019. Photo by: Brett Seymour A/V Production Specialist / Deputy Chief
PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID HONOLULU, HI PERMIT NO. 985