Hickam Heritage Trail - Finale and Presentation

Volunteers completed the final leg of the Hickam Heritage Trail.   They left the Big Barracks and walked towards the traffic circle.

The Douglas RB-26C Invader sits proudly in front of the 15th Wing Headquarters.   The Invader earned the distinction as the only aircraft to serve in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.

The traffic circle has several monuments, including the WWII Flyers Memorial ... 

 ... with the P40 Warhawk. 

Several historic buildings are located around the traffic circle, including the 15th Medical Group.  From eye witness accounts on Hawaii Aviation (at this link),

“We ducked under the operating tables as the bombs fell, dropping our scalpels. There was no time to change hypodermic needles. This was a case of giving relief from pain as fast as possible.”

1Lt. Robert T. Garrett, MD AAF Medical Corps

The Wing Headquarters has a distinctive Arc Deco flare ... 

... and overlooks the Freedom Tower!   The Scouts presented the Hickam Heritage Trail to the base library.  Families seeking to walk/run/bike the trail can request a guide from the library staff.  Upon completion, families can claim a special prize from the library staff!

An Eagle Project continues - Hickam Heritage Trail

Volunteers continued with the Eagle Scout Project to create the Hickam Heritage Trail.   From the Missing Man Formation, the scouts marked a trail along Vickers Avenue.

The historic hangers in Art Deco are now home of several squadrons.

The hangers lead to the Big Barracks - home of 3000 airmen on December 7, 1941.

The Japanese bombed the Big Barracks and Hickam Airfield.   The building is now the headquarters for Pacific Air Forces, but it maintained the strafing marks to honor its history.

The Japanese Zeroes aimed for the building interior ...

 ... this metal stair case still has the bullet holes.

   

The Big Barracks hosts the Courtyard of Heroes to remember those who served in World War II, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

  

  
Above is the original flag that flew on the Hickam Flagpole on December 7, 1941.   We still have one more segment of the trail ... stay tuned for more photos!

Eagle Scout project in the making - Hickam Heritage Trail

Several scouts volunteered with a Eagle Scout Project to create the Hickam Heritage Trail. The scouts measured the distance and direction to each site. They also took notes of each site's historical significance and suggested questions for the brochure.

Nellis Chapel

It is named for Army PFC Nellis, Chaplain's Assistant,
who was killed in action on December 7, 1941.

Hickam Elementary School and the Freedom Tower

The school librarian gave the scouts the history of the statue.

Kalani I Ka Lewa

Ascend to the Heavens

Kalani I Ka Lewa by artist Viliami Toluta’u was inspired by the natural instinct in humanity to be free as we are in America. The young Ali’i (chief) is releasing an eagle into the heavens, symbolizing the potential of children to soar high in life with education as their wings. The young Ali’i also pay homage to the spirit of the Freedom Tower with hope that the children emulate the eagle in exploring and scouting their horizons and its limitless possibilities. A grant from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (Art in Public Places Program) provided the funding for this special work of art.

Freedom Tower

The water tower was renamed the Freedom Tower
in honor of Hickam Field's 50th anniversary.

The Wai'anae Range rises over the Ewa Plain.

The Missing Man Formation