alse%tekig4.len.tek.com@RELAY.CS.NET (Al Seaman) (06/30/89)
From: Al Seaman <alse%tekig4.len.tek.com@RELAY.CS.NET> Just another side of the attack at Pearl Harbor. Having had relatives present during the attack and the aftermath, I thought I would relay some things that showed how civilians were called upon to respond to the work effort needed. The information here are accounts as relayed to me by my mother, two uncles and aunt. I would like to hear of some other accounts people may know of, how civilians were put into action in Hawaii after the attack and insuing days following. During the attack that morning, not only were the radios blaring with emergency info on what was happening, but periodic statements were directed to males 18 and older to report to their place of employment as soon as possible. One uncle was 19 at the time. He and my great uncle both worked for Pacific Northwest Bell at the time. They both left together that morn to report to work as instructed. Having no time to contact the family, they were gone for the whole following week, and noone knew where they were. Upon their return, they relayed this story of their endeavors. They along with other coworkers, worked with military personnel laying dynamite charges throughout all the communication installations. This was due to the fact that the military feared another attack and possible takeover of the islands. With this in mind they figured they would blow all communication installations should this take place. I have an aunt by marriage who was 11 at the time and she recalled how her whole family layed under the front porch of their house until the "all clear" was heard. Her father was already at work that morning. When things calmed to where they could gather themselves and check on neighbors, they left to go and get her dad. Upon reaching his place of work, they were told he was okay but that he could not leave. He, like many others, was frozen to his job until further notice. I learned that he too was given a job by the military. This job lasted almost two weeks. Not only did he spend a long time away from home, but he and many others that worked with him had the worst task of all. He had spent all this time retrieving bodies and body parts from the channel. A part of war that is often overlooked. She told me that it was well over two years before he could eat meats of any kind again. These are a couple of the stories related to me about the attack and days following. Other parts relating these accounts are too personal to relate. I thought that some might be interested in how civilians were used for the war effort in this particular instance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - Al Seaman - - alse@tekig4.LEN.TEK.com - - Beaverton, OR - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------