June 2019
Service is at the heart of what it means to be a Kiwanis member. On the last Saturday of each month, our Kiwanis Club of Pearl Harbor and its sponsored Key Clubs are onboard the USS Missouri, affectionately known as the Mighty Mo, doing community service from turning original teak wood from the ship into bookmarks sold in the Battleshop, polishing silver in the galley or brass in the War Room, to sweeping, moving, or helping children with arts and crafts. I never tire of our community service on the Mighty Mo nor do any of our members, Kiwanis guests, and Key Club members.
Each time I disembark from the Roberts tour bus that shuttles tourists and volunteers to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, I am impressed with the view of the Mighty Mo silently and proudly resting at the end of the walkway lined by waving American flags. The flags are not waving every time we are there but on most Saturdays, they wave proudly honoring all of its visitors. This simple, yet meaningful sight reminds me of service, service to our country by the Mighty Mo and all her military personnel, service by the thousands of volunteers that came to remove barnacles, paint, and restore her upon her arrival in Hawaii, service by retired military personnel who lead tours onboard and provide a living history to all fortunate to take their tours, service by our volunteer coordinators Kevin and Nobue who ensure all who want to volunteer have meaningful jobs to do, service by volunteers like our Kiwanis Club of Pearl Harbor, and service by students, the future generation, who continue to maintain and serve the Mighty Mo.
~ Judy Watanabe