Arizona Memorial Talks
The event that he looked forward to most was going to the Arizona Memorial each Thursday. As a survivor of the Pearl Harbor Attack, he was a registered volunteer and honorary chaplain. He would give two talks to visitors gathered on the lower patio telling of how he reacted to and survived the attack. Then he would share how it changed is life from that event forward. He believed with his whole heart that this was his reason for living as long as he did. He saw it as an act of gratitude and obedience to God.
Because Dad could no longer drive, I would take him and Mom to the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center. She would keep him company and hand out flyers of his story. I would come back to get them or they would ride the city bus home. When Mom got too sick to go, I decided to take him myself, but stay with him to observe how he did. I noticed that he got the story mixed up. He would often repeat himself or jump over important parts. So I asked him one time if I could interview him. He agreed. Things went so smoothly, we continued to do it that way from then on. The visitors were deeply moved, not just by his story, but by the fact his son was there to help him tell it.
 When Mom got to feeling better, all three of us went. I would interview him. When we came to the part where he tells how he and Mom met, I got her to tell that part. The listeners ate it all up. They were thrilled to hear her perspective, not just his. After she died, I told her part of the story and showed pictures of her. It was the least we could do to honor her contribution to Dad's life (and to us children).
I encourage you read the story that gave my Dad's life meaning and purpose. Visit the joemorgan.org website we created to honor him (and my Mom). MORE>
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