I had the honor of being with USS Indianapolis Survivor LD Cox of Comanche, TX, on March 30 at the Air & Space Museum at Dulles (VA) when he toured the Enola Gay. The museum staff moved the barriers and allowed us to stand directly under the Enola Gay. What a moment, to see one of the men who delivered the bomb to Tinian 64 years prior to this visit, as he walked around and under that famous aircraft...in particular as we stood under the bomb bays and talked. You see, my father was a Survivor as well (deceased 3 May 2001), and my mother is Japanese. My grandfather was on the receiving end of the 2nd bomb, the Nagasaki bomb. I was honored to be standing under that plane with Mr. Cox...a memory I will forever cherish. Fair winds, men of the USS Indianapolis. Job well done.
This day was full of emotion and magic. Laughter, tears, being let INTO the display area???!!!!!! Thank you for letting me share it with you guys, Jim.
It still cracks me up that you, being of Japanese descent, had no problem standing under THOSE bomb bay doors. You're the best.
It still cracks me up that you, being of Japanese descent, had no problem standing under THOSE bomb bay doors. You're the best.