Aloha to Eagle Scout Project, World Book Night, and Makahiki Scout Exhibition

Aloha!  We have been busy in Hawaii ...

My son completed his Eagle Scout project - the Hickam Heritage Trail.  I posted pictures here, here, and here.   He presented the project to the Hickam Library - the starting and ending point for the trail.

April 23 was World Book Night at this link.  I was honored as a "giver" ... and I gave away copies of James Patterson's MIDDLE SCHOOL:  THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE to Boy Scouts from military families.  Many scouts have deployed parents ... reading provides them comfort and humor during the family separation.

April 27 was Mahakiki - the Aloha Council's Scouting Exhibition.  The piper led the units to the flag ceremony.  Check out more pictures from Makahiki at this link.

What's been happening in your corner of the world?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 5, at The Reading Reviewer (link).

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Hickam Heritage Trail (part 3)

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The Big Barracks is home to the original flag that flew over the traffic circle.   

Today the traffic circle is a memorial to the airmen who have served for the past 70 years.

The full size Douglas RB-26C was the only combat aircraft to serve in WWII, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam War.  

The wing headquarters overlooks the traffic circle. 

Notice its Arc Deco facade ... 

 ... plus the time capsule to celebrate the Bicentennial. 

Adjacent to the traffic circle is the historic hospital that served on the day of infamy.  From eye witness accounts on Hawaii Aviation (at this link),

“We ducked under the operating tables as the bombs fell, dropping our scalpels. There was no time to change hypodermic needles. This was a case of giving relief from pain as fast as possible.”

1Lt. Robert T. Garrett, MD AAF Medical Corps

Thank you for joining us on the Hickam Heritage Trail.   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 23, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Hickam Harbor offers a view of Diamond Head

Aloha to Hickam Heritage Trail (part 2)

Returning to my son's Eagle Scout Project, we started from the Missing Man Formation in front of the Officers'  Club.

The club offers several historical displays ....

... including a special china pattern.  Notice the Freedom Tower as Hickam's logo.

We walked toward the historic hangers, now home of several squadrons.

The hangers lead to the Big Barracks - home of 3000 airmen on December 7, 1941.

The Japanese bombed the Big Barracks and the adjacent airfield.  The building is now the headquarters for Pacific Air Forces, but it maintained the strafing marks to honor its history.

The Japanese Zeroes aimed for the building interior ...

 ... this metal stair case still has the bullet holes.

   

The Big Barracks hosts the Courtyard of Heroes to remember those who served in World War II, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

  

  
The building is open to the public.   Above is the original flag that flew on the Hickam Flagpole on December 7, 1941.

I'll post pictures from the final leg later this week.  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 23, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 24, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Freedom Tower - the inspiration of the china motif.