NEWPORT BEACH, CA - The Defense of Freedom Foundation paid special tribute today to all of the United States Veterans that served at Pearl Harbor during the surprise attack on December 7, 1941.

We were honored to have a very special guest in attendance. Commander Louis W. Nockold, USN (Ret.). is a veteran that served aboard the U.S.S. Honolulu (Blue Goose) at the time of the 1941 attack by the Japanese. Commander Nockold is also the past Vice State Chairman of the Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Association. Commander Nockold was joined by his wife Sally and their daughter Cindy.

We would also like to thank Robert Bents, Vice President of the Navy League of the United States, Newport Beach Council, for making the arrangements to have Commander Nockold aboard the LYNX.

LYNX and her guests sailed from the slip at 1300 hrs. under an overcast sky that threatened rain at any moment. Once we sailed from the harbor and out into the Pacific, we prepared for our Pearl Harbor tribute.

Just as the opening speech began, the clouds parted and we were drenched with shafts of sunlight. Off to starboard, a rainbow suddenly appeared. After the speech honoring Commander Nockold and the other Pearl Harbor Vets was given, Sally and her daughter Cindy prepared to lay a flowered wreath into the Pacific.

After an invocation, the wreath was placed into the sea and the captain of the LYNX gave the order to fire. The LYNX gunners fired a broadside from the starboard carronade battery as a salute to all that perished during the Pearl Harbor attack. Immediately following the gun salute, almost by an act of God, the clouds filled in once again. It was a very spiritual moment and everybody aboard was touched by the tribute as well as the unusual weather pattern.

The Defense of Freedom Foundation will continue to honor the veterans of Pearl Harbor that served so gallantly. We will never forget the sacrifices that were made and are being made today to keep us all free Americans. Join us aboard the LYNX next year as we pay tribute to Pearl Harbor Heroes.