Why I chose Popeyes over the Pearl Harbor movie premier
By: Barry Gipson
Tags: Navy, Pearl Harbor, Popeyes, Hollywood, Hawaii

PHAN Ron Reeves | Credit: U.S. Navy

History, His-story, or both?

The attack on Pearl Harbor seventy-nine years ago today was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service upon the United States against the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, just before 08:00, on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941.

Nineteen years ago I was stationed onboard the USS John C. Stennis CVN-74 homeported out of San Diego, CA. Prior to the premiere of the movie Pearl Harbor movie on its angled flight deck, we pulled up for a few days.

That kind of publicity is good for morale and recruiting if you ask me.

Liberty was on my mind however once the brow hit the pier. Between a basketball tournament at the base gym and the base pool, there was little room in between to do anything else. Except eat chicken.

Luckily next to the base pool at the time however was a brand new Popeyes. Love at first sight. While the remaining crew stayed on board to get the “Chuck Boat” prepared for the Peral Harbor movie premiere I was soaking up Hawaii at the age of 27 the best I could.

I found this stock photo in Canva. Hangar Bays of Navy aircraft carriers were often turned into basketball courts. I played on all 3 carrier courts I served on. Playing basketball at sea is an unforgettable experience. Naval Aircraft Carriers and basketball are no stranger, however. Google “Carrier Classic.”

Carrier Turns Theater

While steaming underway from San Diego to Hawaii working parties were being assembled to assist in the logistics of an event this size. More than 2,000 people, including Hawaii’s governor, Disney executives, local Navy brass, and many of the film’s stars including Ben Affleck, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Alec Baldwin.

All were invited to the gala on the 1,092-foot flight deck, where workers have erected grandstand seating in front of one the world’s largest movie screens.

How was I able to escape all that work and hit the beach? Keeping your ears to the deck plate. As a player on the ship's basketball team, my get out of jail free card was always to represent the colors of our ship proudly on the court.

This came in handy on deployments and port calls. Our CO even allowed our team to exclusively travel from San Diego by any means back to WA one year to play in the PAC-NORWEST basketball tournament. Which we won.

The USS Arizona Memorial, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and commemorates the events of that day.

Do this in remembrance

Today marks a date where many who served this country in uniform lost their lives as a result of the Pearl Harbor attack. It is important that we remember them.

I took a tour of the USS Arizona memorial above while there. I felt so inspired by the experience I requested to re-enlist there. Although it was too late the memory of seeing the oil slick was enough.

It’s believed between 14,000 and 64,000 gallons of oil have leaked from the USS Arizona since the attack, and the National Park Service estimates it could continue to leak for 500 years.

In addition, other veterans are committing suicide each day. 17 a day to be exact. Due to no established health care with the VA. Due to the increased isolation restrictions with COVID-19. Due to social distancing, and lastly a spike in gun sales during the pandemic. Veterans shoot themselves 69% of the time.

How can you make a difference today? Simply follow me Barry Gipson here on Medium first. Every day I publish fresh content for veterans. Next, join my “Weekly Smoke” newsletter.

Lastly, do this in remembrance. Click your contacts list on your phone, and call that veteran you haven't heard from in years. They need to hear your voice. Give the gift of life this holiday season. Help decrease the BANG.