Memorable Hawaii
7 September 2009
The crews of HMA Ships Sydney and Ballarat both enjoyed a tropical island break during a recent visit to the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. This was the penultimate stop for Sydney before she heads home and a welcome rest before Ballarat makes the journey to Japan, the port provided plenty of opportunities for a few days in the sun and surf.
Some hired convertibles and toured the island in true style, while others enjoyed walking the palm tree lined streets, indulging in some shopping or just soaking up the atmosphere. With such an idyllic location, there were plenty of family members who met the ships and one Sydney officer certainly made the most of the romantic location – proposing to his long-time girlfriend.
With a prime berthing location close to the Battleship USS Missouri memorial at Pearl Harbor, the three day visit also coincided with the 64th Anniversary of the End of the War in the Pacific. Sydney's embarked band was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to participate in the celebrations.
"It was a fantastic experience to be involved in a commemoration such as this," said the band's leader PO Musician Brett Douglas. "The 300 strong crowd, some of whom were a part of the original crew, added to the solemn occasion and for me the whole morning was an extremely moving experience," he said.
The RAN eight piece ensemble together with the Pacific Fleet Band, played a variety of service marches as well as the Star Spangled Banner and the Hawaiian Kingdom's National Anthem – Hawai'i Pono'i.
USS Missouri, also known as the 'Mighty Mo', was launched in 1944 and fought in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. She was decommissioned in 1955 but revived in the 1980s, firing the first shots of the Gulf War in 1991.
Today, the ship is moored just a few hundred yards away from the USS Arizona, a battleship that sank in the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor with more than 1,100 sailors and Marines on board.
"Being involved in an occasion like this was truly one of the many highlights that the band has enjoyed during Northern Trident 2009. To get to play with bands from other Navies helps build diplomacy and enables the sharing of knowledge and ideas. Representing Australia at the service held in USS Missouri was an honour for all involved and I believe clearly demonstrated why music is truly a universal language," he said.
Gallery
View additional images of the 64th Anniversary of the End of the War in the Pacific on the Defence gallery.
