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Show N ^ W S Spanish Fork Covering what matters most WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2007 • A5 Veteran shares experiences: SFHS Key Club From VETERAN • A l man was involved in a part of American history which is so important to our heritage. He was involved in such huge part of Americana, that I thought it was important for him to share his story with us. We have an actual Pearl Harbor survivor in our midst! Why not have him share his story with us?" Underwood captivated his audience with his warmth, sincerity and wit. He explained that he chose to join the Navy over the Army, because he "got to thinking about the whole foxhole deal." He was sworn into the Navy on January 7,1941. Right afterwards he was sent to train in San Diego for eight weeks. He explained that out of the 132 people in his training group* he was one of ten who knew how to swim, so he helped train them. After training, he was assigned to the USS Helena, which was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. One night when they were out at sea, Underwood was on night patrol, when he saw a dark object approaching, which turned out to be another ship. He phoned the bridge to report it, and the ship turned with only 100 feet between the Helena and the other ship. Afterwards, the captain told him to report to the bridge on the double. Underwood said he thought, "Oh, no! What have I done now?" But the captain thanked him for being alert and told him they would have been in a mess if they had hit that ship. On December 7, 1941 Underwood was climbing * ladder down to the lower -deck, on his way to write some letters home, when explosion knocked him to Obnoxious snoring? the deck. An aerial torpedo had hit the USS Helena. Underwood and his helper manned their guns and fired at the planes, but there was so much smoke, he couldn't tell if he was hitting anything or not. When his gun started to get hot, he had to go down to the dock to get water, since the torpedo had left their ship without any electricity or running water. On his way back to the ship, he had a close call. "Something in my mind said 'freeze!'" he said, "and I'm not one to ever disobey an order." He stopped walking, and three seconds later puffs of concrete and dust came up on both sides of him, as bullets from a plane hit the cement dock. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Underwood's ship was assigned to Guadalcanal, where Japanese troops were trying to retake the island. He said at one point their force was stuck in the middle with two Japanese troops on either side of them. Their admiral told them to cease fire, and many of the men thought he was crazy. As they obeyed their order, the Japanese stopped firing at them, and started firing over them and were actually shooting at each other! Underwood said he appreciated his admiral for making such a bold and insightful move. Underwood had many more interesting and extraordinary experiences while in the navy. He was in the KulaGulf Battle, where he was just able to abandon his ship before it was destroyed. Along his journeys he suffered from Dinger fever, a gash to the head, three fractured vertebrae and a broken ankle. On June Don't sleep Well seeks help from community Mark Tanner KEY CLUB KIWANIS ADVISOR CLOSE CALL: Ernal Underwood displays the Purple Heart he received during his service in the Pacific. 30, 1945 he was given ;i medical discharge because of a muscle infection causing problems to his back. After moving to Utah, Underwood worked for the Springvillc Fish Hatcher) for 36 years. He retired in 1984 and has been living in Salem e\er since. In conclusion to Underwood's remarks. Steve Wilson pointed out the miraculous circumstances oi Underwood's naval career. "He robbed death at Pearl Harbor"' he said, "and then he robbed death again at Guadalcanal. What a great storv!" Spanish Fork High School's Key Club is helping collect school supplies that will be donated to the "Pearls with a Purpose Foundation." This foundation helps support children ages 6-17 in eight schools in the Philippines. Clothes, educational supplies, and food are sent to the following areas — Daet, Naga City, Panay. Antipolo, Santo Domingo and Ccbu. The Key Club is asking for your help with donations that will benefit these children. Key Club President Rebecca Tanner said, "People from Spanish Fork and Salem have always been willing help with projects that benefit people in other areas of the world. Two years ago when we collected hygiene items for the Asian Tsunami victims, people donated enough supplies to prepare 100 kits that were donated to the LDS Church for Humanitarian Relief." The Key Club has received permission to collect items at the Macey's Grocery Store in Spanish Fork on Saturday, Jan. 20. A table will be set up to collect donations from 9 a.m.-l p.m. If you are unable to stop by Macey's on Saturday, but would still like to make a donation, there will be a dropoff box in the main office at the high school where donations can be made. The foundation has 82 students that they arc trying to sponsor this year. Mainitemsneededinclude: backpack/book bags (new or in very good condition), notebooks (spiral), notebook binders (1-3" ring), loose leaf paper, pencils, pens (any type), markers, glue sticks and erasers. Optional items include: children's books or text books for all levels of learning, learning software, coloring books/art supplies, chalk and chalk boards, maps, white shirts or blouses for boys and girls, navy and/or khaki pants (boys), vests, sweaters, fruit snacks, oatmeal packets, granola bars, hot chocolate packets, juice boxes and other snack items that store well (four weeks to needed to ship items). flf Unable to use your CPAP? Have you been diagnosed with SLEEP APNEA? The fascinating stories, amazing photos and intriguing ads in The Spanish Fork News may divert your focus from daily events. While viewed as a positive thing in moderation, when taken to excess such diversion can disrupt even the most yital activities, such as picking up kids from soccer practice, properly stirring a jell-o salad, stopping al a red light, and, yes, even brushing your teeth. (See photo illustration below.*) ; r^ o*3s r, r>- j/v CPAP Treatment Oral Airway Device Treatment Which would you prefer? Call 465-1187 Gift of Flight w This Holiday Season Give Your Loved one the Gift of Flight! Intro Flight Joy Flight •40"° (1 hour flight) (1/2 hour flight) First 5 Hours 00 Package (Plane+lnstructor) '595 (Holidays Special Price) Solo Flight $ 00 Package (Plane+lnstructor) 1995 Diamond FLIQHT CENTER of Spanish We know that our paper is captivating, and we want you to read. , " ;^ (Holidays Special Price) Gift Certificates for any amount you desire W We at The Spanish Fork News wholeheartedly encourage punctual child care, adroit culinary arts, tonscientiojJ^ compliance with traffic laws, and above all, impeccable oral hygiene. . ;;f '? *""* Fork, LO (801) 471-1304 www.DFCPilot.com But please, ; ; • READ RESPONSIBLY. *No baby teeth were hurt in the making of this advertisement. •N E W S Spanish Fork M o you get it? |