USS Arizona family members continue their strong presence at FMU’s

I had recently asked a member of AFDIL if they had ever thought we would be hitting the DoD disinterment threshold number needed, and turning the U.S.S. Arizona unknowns from a “Hard No” to a history making “YES”.

I, of course had no doubt…… but this person gave an honest answer that I felt this picture above reflects. He said “not only did we never think you would get the DNA numbers you needed so quickly, we did not expect the family members to be so interested and passionate about the project, and it caught us off guard.”

And there you have it folks – when the DPAA leadership tells you to “Never lose hope”, it’s not necessarily hope in whether the DPAA will come through for our families, but its about us not losing hope in each other. We have gone from 1 to over 1,200 in two years. Your phone calls, emails and showing up at these meetings has all made a difference.

The picture above shows family members from our lost U.S.S. Arizona crew who attended the DPAA Family Member Update last weekend in Bellevue, WA. Sitting in front is our friend Gordon Myers who attended that day to represent his father, SK1c James Gernie Myers. He spoke to the entire room of over 300 people telling the story of him and his brother becoming an orphan on December 7, 1941 and his story at 5 years old of lighting a state torch that stayed lit during the entire war to recognize those that had given the ultimate sacrifice. I cannot image there was a dry eye in the room. (VIDEO is BELOW!!!) Thank you Gordon!!!!