A moving visit to Pearl Harbor

A moving visit to Pearl Harbor

Hello again, American Legion Family,

This message may be a little later this month then in the past; that is because I wanted to write this after coming back from our Pearl Harbor trip with your Legion Family leadership. I was so honored to represent the Sons of The American Legion and to travel daily with Commander Seehafer and President Williamson.

I was also honored to start the trip by carrying on a tradition of placing 2,390 flags at the Pearl Harbor memorial park with many who showed up at 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning to take part in Flying Flags for Heroes.

And placing a wreath on Monday at the “Punchbowl” — the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific — with four other members from Maryland’s Sons representing Sons of The American Legion.

I joined Commander Seehafer, President Williamson and members of our D.C. office to visit the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), as we were briefed on just how exactly unidentified bodies are still being searched for and how work continues on identifying the remains of many that have been discovered. There is amazing work still happening to make sure our men and women and their families someday have closure.

What an honor to be with our leadership at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 at the ceremonies to honor all that were there and sacrificed, and the ones that survived that day that will live in infamy. To be able to see the memorial of the Arizona at daybreak, and board the Missouri as Legion Family. Words cannot describe the amount of emotions and respect I had to be there representing our organization and my grandfather’s service. To go onboard the Arizona Memorial is such a feeling and to know you are above the graves of so many that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I cannot thank the American Legion Family enough for letting my wife Margie and I experience this all while representing you.

I ask everyone this holiday season to pray for the families of all that never came home, remember they were there to protect our freedom and were part of the greatest generation.

Happy Holidays to you all, remember our men and women serving our great country.

Representing More Than Me,

Donald “JR” Hall

National Commander

Sons of The American Legion