'01 Pearl Harbor 60th

Event:	December 7 / Pearl Harbor 60th Anniversary Events
Date:	07-Dec-01
Location:	Admiral Nimitz Museum, Fredericksberg, Texas
Description:	The National Museum of the Pacific War was named the official mainland site for this the 60th anniversary commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. The commemoration was one of only two national events being staged by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was the site of the other ceremony. Events begun at 11:30 a.m. with the broadcast of ceremonies from Pearl Harbor. Church bells through the city will rung as F-18 Hornets flew over the museum in a missing man formation. The program featured keynote remarks by former President George Bush, a Pacific War veteran. Distinguished guests attending the ceremony included James Bradley, author of the best selling book, "Flags of our Fathers", and academy award winning actor, Cliff Robertson. Also at 3:00 that day survivors were honored with a Heroes Parade down Main Street and a flyover of vintage aircraft. Parade grand marshal was John Finn, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from December 7, 1941. This day also marked the Grand Opening of the Pacific Combat Zone, a new 3-acre outdoor exhibit that features four life-size exhibits: fully restored PT-309, an Avenger on the hangar deck of the USS San Jacinto, a Pacific Island Landing and a forward medical station.

To assist in reducing download time, Thumbnail pictures are below - simply click on the picture to see an enlarged version. To return to this page, use your Browsers BACK button.

	Vehicles lining up outside the Pacific Combat Zone just before convoying over to the parade staging area. In front is Jim S's Dodge command car.
	This is John K's 1945 Willys MB with the museum's 37mm anti-tank gun in tow.
	Lining up at the parade staging area. The museum's 2 1/2 ton is in front
	More vehicles staging for the parade. In front is Ryan Schroeder's 1 1/2 ton, followed by Jim S's half track "Green Hornet", and the museums DUKW.
	Hmmmm.... That appears to be our tank driver taking a swig from that wine bottle before the parade. Upon further inspection it was found to contain Gatorade. Good thing, since he was just two vehicles behind John's!
	Just a few of many 5 ton and 2 1/2 ton trucks carrying Pearl Harbor Survivors. At last count we had 388 survivors in attendance.
	The museum's Stuart tank waiting for the parade to start.
	The Stuart tank during the parade.
	That's John K with Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Davis standing in back. Ray is a great guy and still in great shape. He climbed right into the back of the jeep with no trouble at all and stood there for the entire parade. During WWII he was flight engineer on B24's and later on C54's. During the attack he was assigned to the 45th pursuit squadron at Wheeler Field.
	Ray in John's jeep after the parade. Michael Heger standing to the side rode shotgun with us.
	This is the outdoor display at the newly opened Pacific Combat Zone. This display features a LVT as if it has just landed on the beach. A Japanese bunker can be seen in the background. The new museum section also includes a PT boat display which depicts the boat at a dock preparing to leave on a evening patrol. There's also a Navy Avenger shown on the maintenance deck of an aircraft carrier. Even if you've been to the museum before, you must come back to see the new displays.