Some events are burned into our memory with such intensity, not even 65 years can dim their recall.

When he was just 17, DONALD BOLTON, a Seaman 2nd Class aboard the destroyer USS Selfridge (DD-357), piloted a whale boat through Pearl Harbor’s waters, transporting stores and men returning from liberty. “I looked up and saw a dive bomber coming straight at us,” he said. “I went as fast as I could to get out of his range but his bomb wasn’t meant for us. It was for the ship behind us.”

Bolton was one of four guests at the Dec. 12 combined PBY Memorial Foundation and Association of Naval Aviators tribute to those who died and were recovered, those whose remains are entombed in the wreckage of the nightmare that was Dec. 7, 1941 and those who somehow survived.

CECIL CALAVAN, also 17 at the time and also a Seaman 2nd Class, was aboard the battleship USS Utah when it was torpedoed. The overturned hull rests on the west side of Ford Island at Pearl Harbor.

Oak Harbor’s GLENN LANE is a lucky man to have survived being sunk twice in one day onboard ships moored at Pearl Harbor. He recently visited the USS Arizona Memorial and told guests about a tribute that moved him deeply.

“There were 300 or so sailors and Marines lined up as side buoys when we returned shoreside,” he said. “It did my heart good to see young people render a salute as we walked down to the bus. I had to thank them from the bottom of my heart, but they said they were the ones who should be honored. I told them they were important and that we couldn’t get a ship from the dock or an aircraft in the air without them,” Lane said, his voice trembling.

Young Navyman HAROLD SHIMER, then a Storekeeper 3rd class aboard the light cruiser USS Helena (CL-50), told of how Helena was hit by a single torpedo during the Japanese raid, but after repairs stateside, the ship returned to serve in the Guadalcanal campaign and even rescued survivors of USS Wasp (CV-7) when that carrier was sunk by an enemy submarine on Sept. 15, 1942.

There are fewer and fewer Pearl Harbor survivors living today. Who, if not us, will preserve their accounts for future generations? Sounds like a great high school audio-visual project to me.

Girl with a goal …

It was in 1956 that Dwight D. Eisenhower formed the People to People Foundation. Teachers anonymously nominate bright students to become student ambassadors who will work to bridge the gap between nations.

ABIGAIL LINDSEY, a freshman at Oak Harbor High School, was picked by teachers at Oak Harbor Middle School. Now all she has to do is raise money for the trip.

“Last year we raised about $1,000,” said her mother DONNA LINDSEY, “and we need about $5,000 more. DONNA SMITH, general manager at Wendy’s, has opened the door to Abigail’s fund- raising by allowing her to have bake sales there. Abby stands out in the cold selling her baked goods. She is determined to be successful.”

Abby will travel with 40 other delegates and sponsors serving as group leaders. They will experience the cultures of France, Ireland, Belgium, Wales, England and the Netherlands. Some students who went on previous delegations can eventually take students on trips. It really stands out on a high school transcript when applying for college.

Abby had her last bake sale for the year on Saturday, but contributions may always be made at the Bank of America branch in Safeway. Just say you’d like to donate to Abigail Lindsey, student ambassador.

Honey, we have company …

DOLORES MEISCH retrieved her holiday candy dishes from storage and saw what looked like a stick in the middle of a ball of leftover hard candies. Curious, she held the gummy ball under hot water and let out a yell, “Adolph, you’re not going to believe this,” and the two determined it was a small salamander that had set up housekeeping in the recesses of their garage.

Hardly the magical beast of Harry Potter fame, at least he rode up to heaven in a sugary sarcophagus. I don’t make this stuff up, folks.

Trees dressed to please …

Guests couldn’t resist bidding on the exquisite fir tree decorated by floral designer MARIAN MYERS. A nice donation was made to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County as part of the island-wide Festival of Trees auction. Over $40,000 was raised and the average price for a 6-foot tree was $1,000.

And then there was light …

Let’s hear it for the incredible Puget Sound Energy crews who worked tirelessly to restore electricity following the recent windstorm. I thought about bringing them some hot coffee, but well, you know … no power. I hope this is thanks enough.

Best wishes to you for a quiet Christmas with loved ones near. I’ll be back on Dec. 27. Write to me at lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call 675-6611.