Blogs from Phoenix, Arizona, United States, North America - page 6

BOOKENDS A new World War II memorial has recently been completed at the Wesley Bolin Mall on the grounds surrounding the state capitol in Phoenix, AZ. The new memorial is being called “The Bookends” and it features a 14 inch main gun from the USS Arizona and a 16 inch main gun from the USS Missouri. In between the guns are panels listing the names of sailors who served aboard those two battleships. The Arizona was sunk by skulking Japs during the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. When Emperor Tojo finally persuaded the Japs to surrender, after we nuked them twice, they did so in Tokyo Bay aboard the Missouri. The main guns signify both the start and the end of the bloodiest and the worst war ever fought. The Bookends are ... read more

Geo: 33.4479, -112.083... read more

Our Reflections on Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe in Arizona Phoenix is the 5th largest city in USA and the state capital of Arizona. Guidebooks state that there is ’minimal appeal for visitors’ and we found it difficult to find things to do here beside cycle in the hot sunshine and still humidity-less air and look at some fabulous buildings. There are 1.5 million people in the city and over 5 million in its incorporated suburbs (including Mesa and Tempe and Scottsdale). There are two massive sports stadiums side-by-side in the downtown area along with corporate skyscrapers, court buildings and other state government buildings. We walked around the compact downtown centre asking each other: ‘where are the people?’ There is no shopping downtown, only a few sports pubs , a Starbucks, Gold’s Gym and Urban Outfitters. The ... read more

JOE FOSS Joe earned his wings through the aviation cadet program in the Marine Corps. He wanted to be a fighter pilot but in 1941, at the ripe age of 26, was considered to be too old for combat duty. He was assigned to a photo recon squadron but as combat losses began to toll up during the spring of 1942 the age restriction was set aside. By June of 1942 Joe found himself assigned to VMF- 121 and was flitting around the sky at the stick of a Grumann F4F-4 Wildcat. The Wildcat was brought into the service of the Navy as a replacement fighter to the Brewster2A. It was a capable fighter with 6 wing-mounted 50 caliber machine guns. It was a bit slower than a Jap Zero and could not climb ... read more

Hello everyone, My name is Cheri. In one week, I will be turning 40. Hard to believe I made it this far. My life has been hellish so far with twists and turns that would have driven anyone crazy. I can't believe I still have my sanity but I do. I consider myself a survivor. I've been through abuse, both physical, mental and emotional and also managed to survive being homeless as well as survive traveling all over the US by myself. When I was 30 years old, my mom died. I'd been taking care of her since I was 11 and she had become my entire world. I sacrificed most of my life to tend to her and after she died, I felt exhilarated that now I had my freedom from her but also scared. ... read more