A Quick Explanation: I started this blog to complete an assignment in my Technology for Teachers class. You might notice that my first post is an assignment I created about federalist and anti-federalists. I thought that the title History Alive still fits my current situation as a intern in Washington D.C. Not only is our nations capitol pack full of history, it is also a historically important time. You can tune into my blog to find out what I am up to and maybe learn a little about history and current affairs.
More than a monument: Sight seeing in D.C.
This has been a blessed first weekend in Washington D.C. My parents were kind enough to escort me up here and do a little sight-seeing. Today we got our Smithsonian on, walked the National Mall and took a moonlight trolley tour of D.C. Our first stop in today's chilly weather was the new WWII memorial which sits between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. It is a beautiful and simple memorial with pillars with the names of each state (including American Samoa and the Philippines) that sent soldiers to fight the Tyranny in Japan, Germany or Italy. The monument also has a stirring wall with 4,000 gold stars each representing 100 soldiers killed in battle. The best part of the memorial is clearly the two Harry S Truman Quotes.
While admiring one of the fountains decorated with the names of key battles in the Pacific theatre we were approached by a senior adult bearing a clip board and a smile. The man wore a cap covered in pins and reading U.S.S Hector. A small America flag stuck out from his 1980s purple and white ski coat. He asked if anyone in our family served in the war and my father explained that my uncle Weldon was killed at the battle or St. Lo and my grandaddy was a sea bee in the Pacific. He then handed us a card that listed the website where you can search, add and edit the registry of those who served in the war. Here is a link in case you are interested http://www.wwiimemorial.com/default.asp?page=registry.asp&subpage=intro.
On his clipboard was a copy of his entry on the registry and a picture of the Navy Repair Ship he served on during the war. My dad commented that he still looked like his picture as a young Navy recruit. At this he laughed and proudly admitted that Saturday will be his 91st birthday. He explained that he joined the Navy in 1942 and was stationed on the U.S.S. Hector as a radio operator. His unit was given the special project of scrambling radio transmissions before the battle of Okinawa so that the Japanese would not listen in on America's plans to capture the island. He went onto describe his life after the war working for the government. He invented the brushless engine that NASA used to send satellites into space. The very same engine was used for the Mars Rover and most recently for the electric car! He explained that to see his first prototype we need merely walk down to the air and space museum walk in the entrance and look to the right. He explained that the biggest mistake of his life was getting frustrated in a meeting with NASA and storming out of the room. We thanked him for his service and in true form my dad added that Jesus loved him. To this the man confidently replied "Oh, I know he does."
I am so thankful to have heard this amazing story. As time marches on, we lose our last remaining WWII veterans, making this spontaneous oral history session all the more priceless.
Check him out on the internet.
http://madisonwhoswho.com/member_profile.php?id=148737&f=1
Mom and Dad in front of the WWII Memorial
Mom and I in front of the gorgeous Sunset at the Washington Monument
On a lighter note: My dad carries a pocket knife with him everywhere he goes. He didn't realize that in order to enter most buildings in D.C. you have to go through security. So, at both the museum of U.S. history and the Museum of Natural history he descretely stashed his knife in the bushes and fished it out again after we were through. You know you're a redneck if....
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