Aloha to the Pentagon and the Air Force Memorial

Last Monday, a college friend served as our tour guide of the Pentagon.  I worked in the Pentagon from Jun4 1995 - July 1997 at the Single Agency Manager (SAM) for Information Technology Services (ITS).  My office reworked the the infrastructure during the Pentagon renovation - a renovation that would lessen the impact of the plane crash on September 11, 2001.   Above is the Pentagon from 1998 (Public Domain at this link).   

The plane crashed into the section to the left of the forward parking lot (the white concrete was a helicopter pad).  This section is now the Pentagon Memorial.  

Across from the Pentagon is the Air Force Memorial.  From its website (link),

The United States Air Force Memorial honors the service and sacrifices of the men and women of the United States Air Force and its predecessor organizations, including the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps; the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps; the Division of Military Aeronautics, Secretary of War; the Army Air Service; the U.S. Army Air Corps; and the U.S. Army Air Forces. More than 54,000 Airmen have died in combat while serving in the Air Force and these historical service arms of the military.

The Memorial itself is 270 feet high and appears to be soaring. Its array of arcs against the sky evokes a modern image of flight by jet and space vehicles. At the same time, it enshrines the past in permanent remembrance of the pioneers of flight who came before, and pays homage to those of the future.

Located on a promontory in Arlington, Virginia, overlooking the Pentagon and adjacent to Arlington Cemetery, the Air Force Memorial is easily seen on the skyline of Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia in Arlington county.

Above is the Washington Memorial.  Below is the "missing man" etching. 

What do you know about the Air Force?  Do you know any Air Force veterans ... other than me?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 22, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 23.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to the Pearl Harbor Channel

I'm back to my walking routine, which takes me along the Pearl Harbor Channel.    

Hickam Air Force Base hosts a "Missing Man" Monument at the mouth of the channel.

As I walked back to my house, I noticed a very large ship cruising out the channel ...

... it turned out to be Japanese!  

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii 

 

Aloha to the Hickam Heritage Trail (part 1)

My oldest son, Andrew, is creating a "Hickam Heritage Trail" for his Eagle Scout project.   He is publishing a brochure for a family friendly walk to the base's historical sites.   He led a team of volunteers to write the directions and descriptions ... I followed with my camera.  Above is the Nellis Chapel.

It is named for Army PFC Nellis, Chaplain's Assistant, who was killed in action on December 7, 1941.

Two sites overlook the Pearl Harbor Channel - Hickam Elementary School and the Freedom Tower.

The statue of an Oahu ali'i (chief) greets students as they arrive at Hickam Elementary School.

The school librarian (left) happened to walk out of the school and joined us for a picture.  

 From the school's website,

Kalani I Ka Lewa

Ascend to the Heavens

Kalani I Ka Lewa by artist Viliami Toluta’u was inspired by the natural instinct in humanity to be free as we are in America. The young Ali’i (chief) is releasing an eagle into the heavens, symbolizing the potential of children to soar high in life with education as their wings. The young Ali’i also pay homage to the spirit of the Freedom Tower with hope that the children emulate the eagle in exploring and scouting their horizons and its limitless possibilities. A grant from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (Art in Public Places Program) provided the funding for this special work of art.

The ali'i looks up to the Freedom Tower ... 

... the water tower was renamed the Freedom Tower in honor of Hickam Field's 50th anniversary.

From the school, we rambled over to the Pearl Harbor channel walkway, popular with runners, strollers, and dogs.  In the distance, the Wai'anae Range rises over the Ewa Plain.  

The Wright Bros. Cafe offered a refreshment break.

The channel trail leads to the Missing Man Formation, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  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 9, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 10.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

The librarian noted the school grounds previously served as the base's nursery.   Hence, Hickam has an abundance of flowers, including the Bird of Paradise.