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USS Arizona survivor interred
Harvey “Buster” Milhorn GM 3/c
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USS Arizona Interment Ceremony USS Arizona Memorial 7 December 2021
USS ARIZONA SURVIVOR ACHIEVES FINAL WISH
On the afternoon of Dec. 7, 2021, Navy Lt. Harvey Milhorn was finally laid to rest with his fallen USS Arizona shipmates in a ceremony steeped in military tradition Lt. Milhorn was the 45th USS Arizona survivor to be interred.
He was a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class when Pearl Harbor was attacked. A total of 1,177 of his fellow Arizona crewmembers died that day. Most remain entombed in the battleship. After Pearl Harbor, he served on various ships and served throughout the Pacific. After being commissioned, he retired after 30 years of distinguished military service.
Milhorn’s daughter Frances Goldsberry and granddaughter Rachel Yarasavich attended. These are their accounts of that emotional day. My daughter, Rachel, and I were finally on our way to Hawaii. Our first trip to the Islands wasn’t for a vacation, something much more important. Sitting on the plane, all I could think about was Daddy is finally going home, to the Arizona, to his shipmates and to the sea.
My mind wandered back to growing up hearing the story of the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. When Daddy spoke about it, you could see him re-living it in his eyes. The day had finally come to grant his final wish to join his shipmates.
The weather in Oahu wasn’t cooperating that week. It rained so much that it flooded in some areas. The threat of thunderstorms was ever looming - which would mean the interment was going to have to be postponed until a later date. I remembered what Daddy would say when faced with a challenge, “If the Lord is willing and the creek don’t rise”.
We were literally down to the wire and the decision to go forward would depend on the weather. I was praying really hard. Additionally, all of the ceremonies on the 80th Anniversary would be scrapped if the weather continued to be uncooperative.
The weather finally cleared just enough to go forward with the ceremonies and the interment. It was drizzling and windy and everyone was crossing fingers it would hold. The boat ride to the Memorial was solemn. Stepping onto the Memorial, a wash of feelings came over me and I could only imagine what those men went through that day.
Rachel and I were very humbled to be there to honor not just my Dad and her “Pop-pop”, but also his shipmates. It was a very somber ceremony. The respect and care shown by everyone that was involved in bringing this to fruition was very apparent.
“it’s done”. We were standing at the railing, holding each other and dropping flowers into the water and an unusually large bubble of “Sailors Tears” breached the surface of the water.
The wind calmed to a gentle breeze, the clouds parted, and the sun lit up the memorial. We all knew at that moment, Lt. Harvey H. Milhorn was home.
Frances Goldsberry is the daughter of Harvey Milhorn. She was named after the ship her dad was assigned to when she was born. Frances resides in Suffolk, Virginia.
The time up until the actual boat ride to the Memorial made me very anxious. The abnormal amount of rain that week in Oahu certainly added to that anxiety. All I could think is - it’s been 19 years and we are finally here - the universe needs to cooperate!
But I also remembered how my grandfather’s presence at times could be a whirlwind and honestly the weather we experienced was fitting. After it all was said and done - I had time to reflect on the day - and realized that indeed Pop-pop’s spirit was present with us that day.
You see - he was a very serious man, commanded respect and was committed to the traditions of the Navy even after retirement. He had strong opinions and very rarely would stray from his perspective. He would make this known if he didn’t agree with you.
Although he was this way - I had a lot of respect for all that he had been through and the fortitude that he continued to show throughout his life. He was also very knowledgeable and was a great role-model and teacher for me. My strength throughout life has been directly influenced by witnessing his discipline and commitment to what he believed in. Even through adversity, he prevailed. Once we got to the memorial - I was overcome with serenity. I was not sad as I had expected I would be - rather I was proud to have so many people together with my family to celebrate and honor my grandfather and his lifetime of accomplishments.
I was also overcome with a feeling of pride to be a part of a nation who has had so many self-sacrificing, committed folks to ensure we as Americans continue to live free. The greatest generation will not be forgotten.
I also felt freedom for my grandfather that day. Knowing that the one thing he carried with him - the guilt of losing his shipmates - this return to the ship would finally give him peace.
The most surreal part of the day occurred at the end of the ceremony. As everyone exited the memorial to the boat - I glanced towards the Missouri and noticed that the clouds had parted much like something you would see in a movie. The sun shining through, the calm after the storm.
The contrast of the weather at the end of the memorial reassured me that my grandfather was finally at peace, 19 years after his death, 80 years after losing his shipmates.
At that moment - I had tears of happiness as the reality of all that lead up to that moment hit me at once. That was soon followed by leaving the memorial with the feeling of a weight being lifted from my shoulders and chest.
The guilt that I had carried knowing that my grandfather was not “at rest” for so many years had finally gone. It was very bittersweet, but nonetheless something that I can reflect on that will always make me proud and give me inner peace for the rest of my life. .
