A Worthy Memorial to Brave Men

It has been 66 years since 429 brave Americans died aboard the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. Sixty-six years, and yet to this day, those of us who survived the attack can still smell the oil burning on the water, hear the explosions and the cries of our shipmates, and then the quiet tapping sounds as we tried to cut through the ship to save those who were trapped inside. A few were saved, but others drowned before they could be rescued.

It is for those 429 that we have struggled these past several years to finally create an appropriate memorial to their service, sacrifices and to their lives. This memorial isn't about us, nor is it a monument to the military or any other entity. It is for the men and boys who were buried in graves that simply say "unknown.” But they aren't unknown, and finally, their names have forever been memorialized on 429 marble markers on Ford Island in Hawaii, not far from where the USS Oklahoma was moored on Dec. 7, 1941.

When we broke ground on this memorial in 2006, there were 105 survivors still alive. As of now, there are only 92 of us left. All along, we have been in a race against time, hoping that at least some of us would still be here to help dedicate this memorial to our fallen brothers.

We owe thanks to so many people, and cannot possibly begin to thank each of them here, but there are some individuals in particular who must be recognized — without them, this would not have been possible. First, we want to thank Kevin King of the USS Memorial Project Executive Committee. His vision and all of his hard work helped make this memorial a reality. We want to thank Gov. Brad Henry, the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, Aubrey McClendon and Chesapeake Energy as well as the ONEOK Corp. and employees, and the countless Oklahomans who contributed financially to the memorial. Rep. Tom Cole was of tremendous assistance in cutting through the red tape and bureaucracy. We want to thank Sen. Jim Inhofe for his assistance as well. We also want to thank El Luber of the USS Memorial Project Executive Committee, architect Don Beck, and companies such as Red Carpet Charters, Swift Trucking and so many others for in-kind contributions.

Paul Goodyear and Sen. Jim ReynoldsKevin King and Sen. Reynolds

We especially want to thank state Sen. Jim Reynolds for his leadership and friendship. He was a part of this project from the beginning and always stood by the survivors and our wishes for this memorial. Jim did all the right things for all the right reasons, and without him, we would likely not have brought our dream to fruition.

Anita Bryant @ the USS Oklahoma Concert, Crossroads ChurchKevin King and Anita Bryant after the concert.

(Thank you to Crossroads Church in Oklahoma City who helped Kevin King in producing a benefit concert staring USO legend Anita Bryant, over $30,000 was raised in one evening.)

Dec. 7, 1941, will forever be remembered as "a date of infamy.” Dec. 7, 2007, will forever be remembered as the day the 429 who died were finally given the memorial they have so long deserved. If you listen, deep down in your heart, you will hear 429 thank-you's.

Goodyear of Arizona and Vezey of Colorado are survivors of the USS Oklahoma.