USS Arizona and why I am here.
I have nobody left living to pass this story to so I need to pass it on to someone. Even a stranger that reads this will understand why I had to tell it. I was born and I am alive because of an all night poker game. Strange as that sounds this is the story behind it. My father Bill Jones was in the Navy and stationed aboard the USS Arizona. It was a typical Sat. night and like most sailors he was enjoying some down time. He was playing poker, at one of those all night games, aboard a small boat in Pearl Harbor on that fateful Sunday morning in Dec .Many a night when at a friends house or in a corner bar playing cards. I would sit and listen to his story but was too young to recall all the details. By the time I was old enough to want the details he had passed on. I regret not getting some facts down on paper. The ones that I do remember was that the Japs had their sites set on the bigger ships and only straffed the boat he was on. If he was in his bunk like many of his friends were, then I would not of been here today to tell this story.
If you have someone that has served in the military and they tell you a story then listen to them. Also take notes because someday you may want to pass it along to someone. By the way when I sit and play cards with friends I can feel my father nudging my elbow telling me when to hold em and when to fold em. Just wish I had listened to him when I had the chance. Thank you for listening, Pat Jones
