Monday, March 16, 2009

When Pearl Harbor Was Attacked

An anonymous reader recalls a third grade teacher attending his/her mother's funeral, and goes on recall a story about his/her dad skating at the Skate Ranch in Santa Ana when it was announced that Pearl Harbor was attacked...

I grew up in Tustin and went to Tustin Memorial Elementary. I was five when I began in 1967 and when I was in the third grade my mom died of cancer. A lovely Mrs. Saunders (my teacher) was so kind and gentle and sat near me at my mom's service. I remember that and always wanted to tell her that I did remember and always wanted to thank her.

My father Clem and his mom and dad and animals and four sisters and a brother drove from Oklahoma to California in 1941 -- on a two lane highway. Dad drove all the way because he was the best driver -- he was only 16....oy. They lived in Santa Ana on Edinger near what was a MacDonald's but is now an office building and across from their little farm was a bean field.

I remember dad said that a few months after they arrived they were skating at the old skate ranch and it was announced that Pearl Harbor was attacked. Dad joined the navy in 1943. They all attended Santa Ana High School and he met my mom in 1947 and lost his one love in life in 1970. Unhappily for me but happily for them -- Clem and Mary and together again. Their families go way back in Santa Ana.

3 comments:

  1. When Pearl Harbor Attacked?
    December 7th 1941.
    Which was a Sunday Morning at that time.
    I was six years old.
    George H.Hushman

    ReplyDelete
  2. YES DECEMBER 7TH. 1941 10:00AM.
    AS I SAID I WAS SIX YEARS OLD AND DON'T REMEMBER ANY OF IT.OTHER THAN MY DAD WORKED FOR SECRITY ENGINEERING IN WHITTER,CA. MAKING BOMB SHELLS AT THAT TIME.
    AS THE RESIDENT SAID WE ARE BUILDING WASHING MECHENES AND JAPAN IS BUILDING BOMBS.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We were at Tustin Memorial at the same time. I would have been 8 at the time. I remember Mrs. Saunders as well.

    ReplyDelete

Custom Search