Bruce mbabele@999info.net
The Abele Family July 1941
A year later, almost to the day, Jim and 69 other individuals were gone.
They shall not be forgotten.
The first edition of the Grunion Book, Fatal Dive is available. I would suggest waiting for the second edition as there are a number of modifications being made.
Bruce: mbabele@999info.net
A sad note
Dr. John Fakan, the person who hosted our Memorial at the USS Cod, passed away July 5 after a long bout with cancer. He was a major player in determining what caused the loss of the Grunion, and was responsible for getting Navy recognition of the wreck.
My wife Susan recalls an incident that tells a lot.
“I can’t remember the exact circumstance, perhaps it was in conjunction with the Grunion talk at the Museum of Science, but John came to Newton and had dinner with us. He was sitting beside me at the table and for some reason we began to talk about slide rules, which have always fascinated me — not because I understand one single thing about how to use them, but because of their elegant design. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, he had a one in his pocket. He had others as well, including one that had been on one of the flights into space, perhaps even on the flight to the moon. I may be embellishing the story to say the flight to the moon, but none-the-less, he had this wonderful little device that had been into space. He explained that if an onboard computer failed, the astronauts could make necessary calculations and more with a manual slide rule. I doubt that I shall ever learn to use a slide rule, but I shall never forget John, his slide rule, his warmth, and his wonderful stories about life’s adventures.”
Here is his obituary.
June 23d 2012
Bruce mbabele@999info.net
If you go to http://www.999info.net/Chiyo100.mov and download (right click) there is a remarkable video produced by Tadashi Ogawa of Ortus of Chiyo’s 100 birthday. Dependent on internet speed it will take about 30 minutes to download.
Bruce mbabele@999info.net
Received this note from Kazuo today: Chiyo was 101 in February.
Dear friends,
My mother, Chiyo, has been gone in peace today.
Thanks for your favor during in her lifetime.
Best Regards
Kazuo
As we mark the anniversary of the loss of USS Grunion (SS-216) on July 30, 2011, let us pause to remember our 70 brave and valiant men who paid the ultimate price 69 years ago.
We Remember Them
(By Sylvia Kamens and Jack Riemer)
In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
We remember them.
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
We remember them.
In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We remember them.
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
We remember them.
In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We remember them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember them.
When we have joys we yearn to share,
We remember them.
So long as we live, they too shall live,
For they are now a part of us,
As we remember them.