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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2016)
Remembering from 1A “We had two crews out in the open, one that was finish- ing up and one that was com- ing on duty,” Tait said. “So there were plenty of targets to shoot at.” Tait and his mates were actually the first Americans to come under attack on the “Day that will live in infamy.” “We were hit before Pearl Let Your Holiday Shine Bright! Harbor,” explained Tait. “I was stationed at Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay, which is across the bay from Pearl Harbor. We saw the fighters coming down and straffing our planes...” After a thoughtful pause, Join us this season to brighten our holiday tree and menorah with inscribed stars in memory or honor of someone special. Light Up a Life Saturday, December 10 2 – 3:30 p.m. Florence Events Center Free admission. Refreshments served. Bring friends and family. For more information, call Peace Harbor Hospice at 541-997-3418. Tait continued, “I had charge of wing ordinance, so I went to the gun cabinet and thought if I was going shoot at airplanes, I better get one of those B.A.R.s — a Browning Automatic Rifle. It was the same caliber as the machine guns on the airplanes.” Tait remembers continuing to shoot at the incoming air- planes as a second wave of fighters flew low enough for him to take aim and fire hun- dreds of rounds. “We were running low on MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS ammunition, but in the mean- time the Marines had come Veteran Alan Tait got the chance to view Oregon Coast through and they left us plenty Military Museum’s World War II display this week. of ammo so we could keep crashed into the hillside across that day 75 years ago, the Taits the way.” said they hold no ill will shooting,” he said. The young service man towards their one-time ene- After the initial fighter attacks, bombers followed and wrote a letter the next day to mies, even hosting a Japanese laid waste to the ships in the his girlfriend, Barbara, who student in their home. “I don’t have any problems bay. Tait recalls the chaos that was stateside, sharing his experiences. They eventually with the Japanese people. ensued. “Then they started doing married in 1947 and, in a few They are some of the smartest crazy things,” he said. “They months, will celebrate their and nicest folks I’ve ever met,” said Tait. “It was their sent a wave of bombers next 70th anniversary. The couple has made sever- leaders I didn’t like.” that started dive bombing the In 1976, while celebrating ships and there were a lot of al trips back to Hawaii to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial and America’s 200th anniversary, casualties.” The battle at Pearl Harbor other military shrines over the the Taits played host to a was a major military success years. However, their most Japanese girl named Tamiko. “She stayed at our house for the Japanese. Five of eight memorable trip may be one with our daughters for a week battleships, three destroyers they took in 2014. “We got to take an honor or two,” said Tait. “She wasn’t and seven other American ships were sunk or severely flight to Washington, D.C., exactly like an exchange stu- damaged. American casualties together, which is unusual dent because she didn’t go to were significant, with 2,400 because most wives don’t school. It was more of a cul- qualify,” said Tait. “But tural exchange.” killed and 1,200 wounded. The couple corresponded By comparison, Japanese Barbara did because of her forces lost less that 100 sol- work with the nurse corps, with Tamiko for a long while after the visit. diers and suffered the loss of starting in 1947.” The couple enjoyed their “She got married and had only 30 planes. two kids, so that was good,” Miraculously, Tait suffered honor flight weekend. “It was quite a deal. We got Tait said. only minor injuries during the When asked to share the confrontation and was respon- to see all the memorials from sible for shooting down a all the wars,” he said. “That reasons for their many years of marriage, their good fortune fighter plane with a rifle. It’s makes you think a lot.” “Oh, but we had a good during the war and and their an impressive accomplishment time, it was a very nice trip,” good health, the couple — that he discounts. “I was lucky to get a good Barbara added with a hint of a now in their 90s — looked at line of sight on him,” he said. smile. “It was something we each other briefly before answering in unison, “Just “I pulled that trigger, his were real lucky to get to do.” Despite the experience of lucky, I guess.” engine started smoking and he Lawsuit peacehealth.org 11 A from 1A home as well as a nearby home that was unoccupied at the time. Miller’s body and that of one of her dogs was later recovered. Miller’s husband, who had placed the 911 call, escaped with only minor injuries. Last week, Miller’s sons Stephen Miller and Keith Eldein filed a $9.7 million wrongful death lawsuit in Lane County Circuit Court alleging that negligence by both the Heceta Water People’s Utility District (HWPUD) and William and Gail Munzer — owners of the other property that was damaged — con- tributed to Miller’s death. The suit blames the water district for improper mainte- nance of a water line that runs beneath a road near the home, which is part of an easement with the district. Miller’s sons believe leakage in the water line contributed to the failure of the hillside. The suit also claims that the Munzers failed to maintain a series of drainage ditches and other forms of erosion preven- tion for several years prior to the landslide. HWPUD general manager Carl Neville said he had no statement at this time. The Munzers couldn’t be reached for comment. Let me Showcase your property. Richard Beaudro Principal Broker 541 991-6677 2126 11th Street – Established duplex in great lo- cation, close to shopping, services and old town. Two, 2 bdrm 1 bath, two story units with detached garage/carport area with driveway. Heavily wooded lot provides good privacy. Seller prefers owner financing. $255,000. #2561-16304216 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 Health Care Town Hall Join us for the second in a series of town hall events addressing our community’s health care, the national provider shortage and how Team Medicine is improving access to care. Friday, Dec. 9 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Florence Events Center 715 Quince St., Florence, OR 97439 GOT QUESTIONS? Come to the town hall for an opportunity to ask your questions in person. Or, share your questions in advance of the event: facebook.com/peaceharbor SOFT TOUCH HAIR DESIGN Bring in this ad to receive 10% off all services! (offer good thru January 31,2017) Please call to schedule your appointment now! NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. We are open Tues, Wed and Thursday, 9am - 3:00 pm Visit us online for the latest information about the event and PeaceHealth’s provider recruiting efforts. Friday and Saturday (appointment only days). Always welcoming new clients! peacehealth.org/WeCare Thanks to our partner, the City of Florence, for working with us to host this event. Happy Holiday’s and Best Wishes for the New Year! Ginger Cole, Owner Soft Touch Hair Design by Ginger 968 Nopal Street, Florence 541-997-9123 CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016
