P-MAN IV Update Series, #5
16 April 2002
Hello Supporters!
Another couple of fine days. But first, lessons learned.
1. Water Resistant labeling only applies to the labeling, not the garment.
2. If you slip and fall on an old battlefield, you will always land next
to a mortar round.
3. There are people around the world who completely understand the sacrifice
Americans
are willing to make for freedom.
Two days ago we spent in the water. Albert, a local fisherman said he
found an 'intact' aircraft on a coral head. He took us right to 'a' coral
head, we strapped on tanks and found nothing. We then snorkeled for a
bit on another coral head nearby. Nothing. Then we used the boat to drag
two folks in the water to cover more territory. 6 coral heads later.....
Albert says it's out there, in 20 feet of water on a slope. We might go
back to the last coral head.
It was interesting to see Joe our guide and Albert interact as we were
heading out into open ocean. It was as if they were saying, yeah, now
turn right at the church, go to the convenience store and turn left, it's
the third house on the right.
On our way in, Albert pointed out another spot for us to check on another
day.
We also revisited a propeller that is sticking up out of the water in
a coral head. Pat visited it a number of years ago when the hub was still
visible. Now, the coral has grown around that. So the good news is that
coral is coming back. I understand that there was a large coral kill from
El Nino. We sent the measurements that we could take to the Kalamazoo
folks and maybe they can identify it. There is no other wreckage around
that site.
Yesterday, we went to Peleliu. I must put in a plug for Tangie Hesus.
He lives on Peleliu and he is a one man show out there, keeping the memory
of what was done alive. He is ticket taker, curator, coordinator, fundraiser,
guide and so much more. He truly understands that his personal freedom
is due solely to the sacrifice made by American Servicemen during this
hard won campaign. And he is sincerely thankful. He knows the history,
the people and the places of Peleliu. And he kept us from stepping on
unexploded bombs, bullets and mortar rounds. AND THAT WAS A GOOD THING.
There is a ton of it all over the place.
If you've looked at any photos of the island from the war, you would think
it was all sand and bomb craters. The jungle has reclaimed most of the
island. There is one runway left, that Belau Air uses for their Cherokee
6. That's the air service for the locals. We stopped at the1000 man cave
and a number of Japanese buildings.
The entire island is a memorial/cemetery and you
come across human remains, as well as equipment everywhere. There was
a stop at a museum building, Japanese tank, Sherman tank, a Zero aircraft
and a very solemn visit to the 1st Marine Memorial, 81st Infantry Memorial,
and the cemetery. All very moving.
On our way out, Tangie mentioned maybe some new aircraft was found. Not
wanting to disappoint him, although we needed to leave due to darkness,
we went. Wow, a Hellcat wing, Corsair parts and some with identifiable
data plates, and other stuff too. A real find. Now before you go thinking
YOU can salvage these things, it is against U.S. Federal law and Palauan
law to take these items. There are more organizations with letter acronyms
that will be really mad at you personally, if you go after these things.
Okay, you've been warned.
We hopped on the boat, went through a rain squall
and made it back by sunset. I would not have thought you could get chilled
in the tropics, but if I did not have my water resistant wind breaker,
I would have been cold. I have heard of folks actually getting hypothermia
out here.
Just talked to some Marine F/A18 pilots on the phone who are on the island.
They're out here showing the Flag. I think we'll host them tonight. More
about that later.
Okay, that catches you up. More later when it happens.
Blue SKies, Flip
|