An Emotional Davey Remembers

At 7:50 everyone's life changed instantly when Tom heard the roar of planes followed by the sound of explosions. Pearl Harbor was under attack by the Japanese. Tom tells all- there are a lot of reasons why it happen, but he avoids that discussion and shares what it was like to be there only a short distance from the Arizona. So close that when the planes came in, only 20 feet above the ground, he saw the Japanese pilots wearing the white scarfs, wave to him from their open cockpits. He notes that his brother whom was 6 recalls the same -wave. Tom notes that it was obviously that their targets were military, not civilian. From almost 30 minutes Tom struggled through his emotions to share the moments from that DAY IN INFAMY as he saw it all only 1500 feet from the Harbor. Tom told how the first wave of about 200 planes hit the airfields creating devastation everywhere. The next wave hit the harbor sinking or destroying the majority of our vessels parked in the harbor, virtually blocking any exit from the harbor, which is very shallow. Tom noted that he and his family laid on the floor of their home for several hours, protecting themselves with mattresses over them. When the Arizona blew it felt like an earthquake", he said and he and is family were rushed to the Admirals House where there was what the kids referred to as The Dungeon". In reality it was a "bomb shelter" made from an old gun turret. Tom said "we lost over 1200 military personnel of every level when the Arizona blew and shrapnel was scattered everywhere". The losses on the Arizona included 24 sets of brothers and one â€"father and son. After two waves over two hours, the Japanese left and Pearl Harbor was left in chaos, 2403 dead, 188 planes destroyed, and a crippled Pacific Fleet that included 8 damaged or destroyed battleships. You could feel that retelling the story through overheads, photos, and memorabilia was painful but important to Tom. He also showed a four-inch piece of shrapnel from the Arizona and the 69-year-old waffle machine and waffle. After the attack Tom's family was moved out of the house to barracks on the mainland where they were required to carry gas mask, endure frequent air raid drills and an early _lights out" policy. I could never due justice to all the memories, facts and emotion that Tom shared with us but suffice to say-he is a walking tribute to that DAY IN INFAMY and we were pleased that Henry had brought Tom as a guest speaker on the exact date of the 69 anniversary of that tragic event. Thanks Tom and thanks to all whom made the ultimate sacrifice.( Photo-Rotarian & Program chair Henry Papuga, holding a piece of shrapnel from the Arizona and Tom Davey of Milford holding the 69 year old waffle machine and waffle.)