Every year about this time my Mom would go to her bedroom and pull out a photo album and share pictures that she took in Hawaii in a time stretching from December 1941 – to some time in 1945. They are pictures that are worn with the years, some of them sticking together, some faded. But the memories of looking through those pictures and hearing the stories of Mom of her time in Hawaii will hardly ever fade.
My Mom Martha Jane Moon Cook would tell stories of the reason that she spent her time in Hawaii. She had a desire to follow in the footsteps of her brother Vincent and a host of others who were part of the Military of the US. The was just one problem. She was a woman! At that time in the history of the United States women were not readily accepted into the armed services. Mom chose what she thought was the best option, the Women’s Civil Air Patrol. I might not have the name correct but regardless she found herself in training in Harrisburg PA and then in a land far far away from her humble home outside Dawson PA. The place Hawaii.
Mom used to tell me the story that they were on their way into Hawaii on a ship when the word was shared that Pearl Harbor had been bombed and upon their arrival – “it would be all hands available to help.” The pictures that Mom took of Hickam Airfield, December 7, 1941. The pictures continue to humble me and bring me to a state of reflection of the lives of many both from the Armed Forces and from humble civilian walks of life. Some of those who never left the shores of Hawaii alive.
When I think of war, the armed services, our civilian servants and those who serve us in our communities the humble sacrifice that they make each and every day. Many of them without the recognition they rightfully deserve. I can remember my Mom humbling accepting that her service was to help humanity and serve God with her heart. Mom lived out a lifetime of sacrifice to others and taught us to do the same.
I would be a miss if I failed to mention my Dad – Harry Buck Cook who left the hills of Somerset County PA – in his senior year of Highschool from Berlin Brothers Valley Highschool in Berlin PA to enlist in the US Army. His military records indicate he was processed through Hickam Airfield early December 1941 and sent to serve within the South Pacific Theater. Dad was honorably discharged and never talked much about his military life. I, however, knew when I would question him he wasn’t very willing to speak about his time in the service during World War II and maybe had issues he was trying to forget. Dad taught me sometimes we have to move on.
I guess I am mentioning this at this time because the anniversary of Pearl Harbor just passed. It seems every year it becomes more and more distant in our recollections of war and all of those who served both in the military and civilian. I realize that there are not many left to stir the recollection of what they lived through for the sake of freedom. Both my Mom and Dad would be 100 years old. So it is up to us who stand on the shoulders of the saints to keep their memories alive.
I will share a few pictures from My Mom’s photo album and then it will return to its quiet resting place until I have the opportunity to share it with someone else and someday pass it along to the next generation of our family to be reminded of their Grandma, or great Grandma.
Until then, thanks Mom and Dad and the others who served beyond our generations to keep us free and alive and hopeful of all that there is and ever will be –
Thoughts from the Edges 
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