When the U.S. Entered the War
Pearl Harbor was a place before it was an event in history. Before Hawaii was even a state, the U.S. Naval Fleet occupied the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor on the tiny island of Oahu in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This island is where my family and I call home, but it’s rich history draws me back to make sure my kids understand the sacrifices made on December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. (Franklin Delano Roosevelt)
I was lucky enough to inherit a little piece of my own family’s history. My “Poppie” was a chief petty officer in the navy during World War II, this is one of his original jackets from that approximate time. The SeaBees was his battalion, which is actually a heterograph from the first initials C.B. which stands for “Construction Battalion.” These special battalions started in 1942, right after Pearl Harbor, and most likely in response to the war effort.
Poppie passed away in 2011 at the age of 91, but I spent most of my young life hanging out with him after school and listening to his military stories. He had the chance to visit Pearl Harbor, and told me about the Black Cat Cafe where soldiers visited on their nights off. That man was a hoot and a half, and I’m grateful for my time with him.
In our past article 20 Kid Friendly Activities on Oahu, Pearl Harbor is listed as one of the top must-see experiences when visiting the island of Oahu. Plan your next trip accordingly and take advantage of the depth of historical information at this memorial site. See our Facebook post below from last December and follow the links to the sites of Pearl Harbor.
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Get your week 18 sheets here for Cycle 3 of the Classical Conversations homeschool curriculum. Three worksheets ideal for kids in grades 2 through 6. See our movie recommendations below.
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