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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Happy Veterans Day - Hug a "Naked Warrior" :)

Aloha,


Normally, when I go to Bellows Beach, (originally Waimanalo Beach), this is what I see and think about.

It's easy to forget the kids and I on an active, if small, military establishment. (There's no runway anymore, but Bellows Air Force Station is operated by Detachment 2, 18th Force Support Squardron.)

The other day, however, I noticed a lone figure, standing at the top of the beach. He was visible (from the park side) because some trees were recently removed due to age or disease.


So, I did a little research, and below is taken from the Navy Seal Foundation website.

It is a little known fact that the precursors of today’s Navy SEALs, Underwater Demolition Teams, originated on windward Oahu at Waimanalo Beach.

 In 1943, two years after Pearl Harbor, as WWII raged in the Atlantic and Pacific, UDT 1 and UDT 2 were formed at Waimanalo, using Bellows Air Base as their initial training area.

A few months later, they moved to Kihei, Maui. However, the origins of UDT were at Waimanalo, a fact memorialized in the oral histories of frogmen who were there, and recently verified by the UDT/SEAL Museum in Ft. Pierce, Florida.

Years ago, the Museum commissioned the bronze “Naked Warrior” statue to represent the various combat swimmer units which developed over time into today’s Navy SEAL Teams.

He stands on a “horned scully”, one of the many obstacles UDT’s were assigned to destroy so that amphibious landings could take place from Normandy to Iwo Jima. It is a fascinating story of bravery against all odds.

 
 
Of course, it is Veterans Day today, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who wears, or has worn the uniform and served in our nation's military.

Going to the beach just means a little more now...



15 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mark .. interesting to read about the SEALS work ... so many laid down their lives for us ... in both Wars ...

Glad you'll remember them when you and the kids visit the beach .. cheers Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is interesting to know! Wow, started right there at that beach. Going there does mean a bit more now.

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne said...

I had never heard that story. Thanks for sharing it Mark. I hope everyone takes time to remember our military heroes today and every day. We wouldn't be here without them.

Jo said...

How interesting, and so appropriate today. Great statue too.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

*Salute*

Morgan said...

Beautiful story, Mark. I love today… and I love your American spirit… it always comes across in posts like this. Hope you are well and wonderful. <3

dolorah said...

I learned a little history today. Thanks Mark :)

Melissa said...

Very interesting. Thanks for the history lesson, Mark. :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I didn't know that was the origin of the Seals. Those guys are crazy brave.

Suzi said...

We're lucky to have men and woman to volunteer to do such dangerous jobs that many of us don't want to.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I must say, that is the sexiest monument ever. We need more like that to up museum traffic.

Seriously though, huge thanks to our vets and those serving. Hug your Mrs. for us. I know you want to!

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Wow such stories leave their mark.

LD Masterson said...

Very cool history lesson. As for our vets - bless 'em all.

Kristin Smith said...

What a wonderful story! I guess that beach does have more meaning now! Thanks for sharing that bit of history.

Tammy Theriault said...

hey! hey you! miss ya, Mark :)

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