Pearl Harbor Survivor living life to the fullest
11-21-2009, 03:19 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Pearl Harbor Survivor living life to the fullest
We were in Honolulu, Hawaii last week, visiting the USS Arizona Memorial. If you haven't been there, it is an incredible experience. Anyway, we met two Pearl Harbor Survivors at the museum. After the tour, we walked back through the parking lot. I saw a beautiful DSOM C-6 Corvette parked in the lot. I was drawn to the license plate, see attached photo. It said "Pearl Harbor Survivor", and was parked in a parking spot labeled "Pearl Harbor Survivor Parking Only". I thought to myself "wow, this guy was living life to the fullest!!" The Corvette owner is named Harold O'Connor. He is the man on the far left. The other survivor is Herb Weatherwax. That's my wife Lori in the center.
11-21-2009, 04:45 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
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That's awesome. I was just there a few weeks ago. The tall fences in the background of your picture of the Vette are there to hide the construction going on behind them. The US Parks Service is building a new Arizona Memorial Museum that will be open Dec 7, 2010. The current museum buildings, except the theater, will be demolished. They are also interviewing the remaining Pearl Harbor survivors in High Def so they can preserve those memories for all.
11-21-2009, 05:45 PM
#12
1st Gear
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Remember Pearl Harbor -- Keep America Alert!
Remember Pearl Harbor -- Keep America Alert!
America's oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 101st year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, U. S. Navy (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, "The Day of Infamy", Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
(Now deceased) 'Navy Centenarian Sailor', 103 year old, former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Radioman (ACRM, Combat Aircrewman), later wartime commissioned Chief Warrant Officer Julio 'Jay' Ereneta, U. S. Navy (Ret.), is a thirty year career veteran of World War One and World War Two. He first flew aircrewman in August 1922; flew rearseat Radioman/Gunner (1920s/1930s) in the tactical air squadrons of the Navy's first aircraft carriers, USS LANGLEY (CV-1) and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2).
Visit my photo album tribute to these centenarian veteran shipmates:
http://news.webshots.com/album/123286873BFAAiq
http://news.webshots.com/album/141695570BONFYl
San Diego, California
America's oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 101st year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, U. S. Navy (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, "The Day of Infamy", Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
(Now deceased) 'Navy Centenarian Sailor', 103 year old, former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Radioman (ACRM, Combat Aircrewman), later wartime commissioned Chief Warrant Officer Julio 'Jay' Ereneta, U. S. Navy (Ret.), is a thirty year career veteran of World War One and World War Two. He first flew aircrewman in August 1922; flew rearseat Radioman/Gunner (1920s/1930s) in the tactical air squadrons of the Navy's first aircraft carriers, USS LANGLEY (CV-1) and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2).
Visit my photo album tribute to these centenarian veteran shipmates:
http://news.webshots.com/album/123286873BFAAiq
http://news.webshots.com/album/141695570BONFYl
San Diego, California
11-21-2009, 06:18 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
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Have to love our old veterans, and our new ones for that matter. Here is another Pearl Harbor survivor. Took this picture a couple of years ago, He's in the middle, I'm off to the right. Our little Hawaiian vacation, we rented a Mustang convertible, after the Vette, we were not overly impressed. 
11-21-2009, 07:07 PM
#14
Supporting Lifetime
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2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
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Great story, great photos. God bless them and all who served, and continue to serve. I'll get to Hawaii some day, and when I do the Arizona Memorial will definitely be a stop.
11-21-2009, 07:47 PM
#16
Team Owner
11-21-2009, 08:47 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
great story ! thanks for sharing.
I salute those guys and their generation
I salute those guys and their generation
11-21-2009, 08:59 PM
#18
Race Director
Absolutely, GOD bless them!!! I salute all of the brave men and women of all era's of our Armed Forces and especially that one. I was also stationed at Pearl from '70-'72 and then off to our new home port Guam (from there, relieved our sister ship in Nam). Seems like only yesterday.
I was also stationed at Pearl from '70-'72 and then off to our new home port Guam (from there, relieved our sister ship in Nam). Seems like only yesterday.
11-21-2009, 11:29 PM
#19
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I salute him...and not just for driving a Vette. I've been to the USS Arizona Memorial many times. The Arizona Memorial and the Punchbowl Cemetery are two very special places. Lest we forget.
11-21-2009, 11:46 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '11
Your story is way 
To Harold O'Connor, the Corvette owner, and Herb Weatherwax, I say "I salute you!"
I thank these gentlemen for their distinguished service, along with all of their comrades who didn't see the next morning.
Next time I hop in the Vette, I will smile knowing I'm in such fine company!
To Harold O'Connor, the Corvette owner, and Herb Weatherwax, I say "I salute you!"
I thank these gentlemen for their distinguished service, along with all of their comrades who didn't see the next morning.
Next time I hop in the Vette, I will smile knowing I'm in such fine company!