"I was moved by your story of your long lost relative, U.H. Marlow. I grew up in Hawaii and understand the Arizona Memorial's importance. The school children often have field trips to visit it. It is a sad and an important place where many find closure.

"I hope that you visited the other islands to get a feel of what the real 'Hawaii' is like, since Oahu is mostly a concrete island. I hope that you felt that your trip to Hawaii was a good one. - Aloha, Cheryl Kiyoko Russell."

Sandra Marlowe wrote to say, "Hi, Kat - My curiosity was piqued when I saw the name 'Marlow.' My husband's family name was Marlow (without the 'e') back a generation or so - then someone added it on again. My husband said your cousin may be some shirt-tail relation … wouldn't that be a hoot? Also, his uncle, Dale Dillon (Mom's maiden name), was at Scofield Barracks during the Pearl Harbor attack."

Council man Bob Dillon wrote in to help clarify things: "A 'Coxswain' (pronounced "coxsun") is a small-boat handler. The sailors who took you out to the Memorial in the launch were coxswains, although that's not a separate rating in the Navy anymore, but a specialty training for other ratings, usually a boatswain's mate or a quartermaster.

"I was a new sailor of 19 when I visited Pearl for the first time on a Navy ship. I know you've seen ships of the line depart and enter port with sailors 'manning the rail.' As we entered Pearl while manning the rail, the PA announced 'Stand by to render passing honors to USS Arizona!' and upon command, we came to attention and saluted as we passed. It was very touching.

"And yes, Arizona had many brothers who served together. You might want to Google 'Sullivan brothers USS Juneau.' The Sullivan brothers were five men from Waterloo , Iowa , who were all aboard USS Juneau in WWII when the ship was sunk. They all died, and henceforth, all applications for brothers to serve together on the same ship have to be approved by the Secretary of the Navy. - Best, Bob, (Hospital Corpsman, USN, 1966-70)."

Antoinette "Tonie" Verbanic, of Hollister, reminded me of our own local Pearl Harbor treasure, Charles "Chuck" Verbanic, her husband of 59 years and veteran of that infamous Dec. 7, 1941 day. Seaman First Class Charles "Chuck" was working below deck on the USS Tennessee when the attack came. Dropping everything and running up on deck, he saw the black, toxic smoke pouring out of the USS Arizona, just to the left of his ship, obscuring the sun.

"The Japanese planes were flying over the top of us, barely higher than the ship," Chuck said. "You could see them looking down right at you. They could fly as low as they wanted because no one was shooting back at them. You could really see the whites of their eyes." Chuck and his fellow shipmates ran to break open the supply rooms and get ammunition to the nearest guns.

Chuck is the last known surviving Pearl Harbor veteran in the South Valley. He and his wife danced the jitterbug and the polka for 23 years in all the local convalescent homes, bringing cheer to the residents.

Now 88, Chuck still works for Salinas Valley Pump, making sure the irrigation wells operate correctly on the many properties and small farms in the area.

"The widows call him their guardian angel," Tonie said.

Kat Teraji Kat Teraji is communications coordinator for a large non-profit organization that benefits women and children. Her column appears every Thursday in the Take 2 section of the Dispatch. You can reach her at kattoy@verizon.net.