March 2026

Honoring Our Heroes

This month, we invite you to experience something truly powerful: the living voices of the Greatest Generation. Voices that are fading with time, but not on our watch.

At Pacific Historic Parks, we are in a race against time to preserve the firsthand stories of Pearl Harbor survivors, World War II veterans, and the remarkable women known as the Rosies. These are not just interviews; they are opportunities to capture history directly from those who lived it.

Because of your support, our team has traveled across the country, from Arizona to Florida, Ohio to Pennsylvania, and Washington State sitting face-to-face with heroes whose memories shape our understanding of freedom. When travel wasn’t possible, your generosity allowed us to bring our studio to them virtually, ensuring no story is lost due to distance.

Recently, we had the extraordinary honor of meeting:

• Freeman Kimball Johnson, USS St. Louis, now 106, the oldest known living Pearl Harbor survivor.
• Forest Stidham, 102, who stood on Ford Island and tearfully recalled the terror of December 7.
• Kenneth Karl Schubring, 103, who described the moment breakfast was interrupted by the attack at Wheeler Field.
• Raymond G. Wans Sr., 102, USS Curtiss, who not only shared his memories but lifted our spirits with song.

Our Oral History Collection includes past interviews with Pearl Harbor survivors, WWII veterans. We also hear from the Rosies, the women who kept the all-important supply chain going to help win the war.

Freeman Kimball Johnson

Forest Stidham

Kenneth Karl Schubring

Raymond G. Wans Sr.

These moments are deeply human, often emotional, and always irreplaceable.

We were also able to tell the stories of the Rosies; the women who powered the wartime workforce and helped secure victory. Though many were dismissed after the war, their impact reshaped our nation, paving the way for civil rights and women’s equality. Today, their legacy is finally being recognized, including the recent award of Congressional Gold Medals.

We were honored to interview Mae Krier, a national Rosie leader who turned 100 on March 21, 2026, National Rosie the Riveter Day. Her voice continues to inspire generations.

We also captured the story of Alice Darrow, a 107-year-old Navy nurse, whose life and love story reflects both sacrifice and resilience.

Rosie Mae Krier (left) just celebrated her 100th birthday this month. Naval nurse Alice Darrow (right) is 107.

But history doesn’t end with those who served, it lives on in their families.

In Tampa, we interviewed American Legion executive Doug Stafford, who shared the story of his father, a survivor of the USS Indianapolis tragedy. Doug spoke of the lasting weight of that experience on his family, a reminder that the cost of war echoes across generations. Doug’s passing last year made his recorded story all the more meaningful and underscores why this work cannot wait.

Doug Stafford (center), with Pacific Historic Parks staff, and his father (right), a survivor of the USS Indianapolis tragedy.

This is why your support matters.

Every donation directly fuels this mission:



• Sending our team across the country to capture these final interviews
• Supporting skilled photographers, videographers, and editors who preserve these stories with care
• Expanding digital platforms so younger generations can connect with this history
• Developing educational programs that bring these voices into classrooms
• Sustaining commemorative events like the annual December 7th Ceremony at Pearl Harbor

Because of you, these stories are not lost. They are preserved, shared, and carried forward.

As members of the Greatest Generation pass on, we are committed to ensuring their voices endure not just as history, but as inspiration.

If you know someone with a World War II story, we urge you to connect with us. Together, we can honor them while we still can.

Thank you for standing with us and for remembering, for honoring, and for ensuring that future generations will understand the true cost and courage of World War II.

Pacific Historic Parks is the leading organization supporting significant historical sites in the Pacific for future generations. Through education, interpretive programs, research, preservation, and restoration, we work to perpetuate the memory of events and honor the people involved in these historic Pacific locations.