Today, as well as remembering the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, we honored 1st Lt. George H Cannon, who died, aged 26, when Japanese battleships shelled Midway later that day. 1st Lt Cannon had refused to be evacuated until communications were restored to his command post, and subsequently died from his injuries. He became the first US Marine in WWII to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Our group of albatross nest counters visited his memorial site in front of the command building where he was mortally wounded, and paid our respects to a fine young man for his bravery.
This blog site has been under dust sheets for many years, but today I was planning to resurrect it starting with an account of my 5th arrival on Midway Atoll, to prepare for this season’s Annual Albatross Nest Count (Hatch Year 2025). Unfortunately, that post will have to wait another day…or more.
This afternoon we had news that our evening charter is canceled, and we’ll be spending another night in Honolulu, trusting that we’re able to leave tomorrow night.
This is nothing new for some of us…actually Plan B’s generally are nothing new for anyone who’s familiar with Midway!😳 As we set out on our previous trip two years ago, around 7:30pm, the plane blew a tire turning onto the runway. Quite a saga over several hours, first trying various doomed maneuvers to get back to the hangar, finally requesting an airport bus to collect us from the taxiway, plus more delays getting transport from the airport to a quickly arranged bunkhouse for the night.
So this time feels like no biggy (apart from the delayed greeting from hundreds of thousands of albatross, of course). The bunkhouse is an easy 15 min walk to Waikiki with plenty of places to chill tonight, and tomorrow. As long as the warm dry Hawaiian weather continues to cooperate, we’ll likely repeat our morning from two years ago, an early walk along the shoreline, followed by coffee at a beach café which may even have the same happy gent playing piano.
Still, it’s been a great stop in Honolulu, as I flew in a day early to visit Pearl Harbor; my first visit, and a very sobering experience. The whole site, with many museums, memorials, movies and interactions, is extremely well and respectfully managed. Standing quietly inside the memorial built over the sunken remains of the USS Arizona caused an overwhelming, stomach-churning sadness and brought tears to my eyes. The Pacific Maritime Museum and experience inside the USS Bowfin submarine opened them!…so much detailed information in the excellent displays.
USS Arizona MemorialMemorial to the 900+ who rest belowUSS ArizonaUSS Missouri to left of the USS Arizona MemorialTorpedo tubes, USS Bowfin, so much brass to shine!USS Bowfin
I will definitely plan a return visit to experience it again, as well other areas including Ford Island and USS Missouri.
Kauai Greenhorn 