Recovered family correspondence from March 2017. The details below are family recollections and were not independently verified.
Danielle:
Can you recount for me the story of what happened to Grandma’s heel?
D-
Jo Zeimet:
With these 2 caveats — these would be stories that I heard more than 60 years ago… And of course, stories get embellished, burnished for color and laughs.
I think mom said that Japanese planes flew over, strafed. People would dive under whatever, for cover. She was nonetheless injured when her heel was shot off. She spent some time recovering down off the mountain, then was bused up. She had the flu, and getting off the bus fell over and broke her nose. So, she had an injured foot, the flu, and a broken nose. While she was recovering (I think at King Kameamea Hospital, the Filipino orderly played the record Russian Sailors Dance over and over and over again.
When I was learning to play that song on the piano, it would induce homicidal tendencies in her.
I don’t know that any of that lines up with anything, except possibly the homicidal tendencies…
xjo
Peter Zeimet:
She was in a wooden building and a bullet got her…………….. I think it was just a strafe attack. THERE WERE SEVERAL ADDITIONAL RAIDS ON HAWAII THAT ARE NOT IN history books. ???????????? THERE WAS EVEN A BOAT BOMBED WITHIN SIGHT OF THE GOLDEN GATE IN SAN FRANCISCO. I do NOT have a date of how close it was to December 7th initial raid. I just cannot remember. She was already inducted into service and I believe on the 2nd floor of a single walled “shack” type structure quickly put together……….. of which most building construction had during those years. They did not have materials to build permanent structure. Te Quonset hut was an UPGRADE in government facilities. That is why schools were used for hospitals during the war’s duration.
I want to say at Schofield Barracks in Oahu’s central valley. The buildings were little better than shacks. Within hours of the initial attack the only data released was what our government approved. The island was under martial law at that point. I do not think they wanted to drop the ball officially more than one time admitting we were terribly disorganized and Hawaii was just a sitting duck.
The injury was treated temporarily and a steel ball/plate was inserted causing her to walk putting all her weight on the front bones. Later, it had to be repaired and was marginally successful as her ligaments were shorter. I “understood” that operation was done in California at a later date probably 5-6 years later and I do NOT know if the 2nd surgery was at a military facility. I want to say Glendale, but it could have been in Monterey. I know she stayed with Thelma (her 1st cousin) for awhile after that procedure. The timelines sadly are blurred. I DO remember her heel was bizarre looking with a huge callous that cracked and her foot was rather stiff with a distorted arch. I remember that when I was small so it would be dated in the late 50’s. Lots of stuff happened that military records just delete from official statements. -Wish I could give you more. I realize it does not match up well. I know she had gone to work at Honolulu’s general hospital which was a small building. Perhaps it was there and they just did a quickie fix. I know she said it hurt and “limp” walking was the only way she could compensate. MAYBE IT HAPPENED THE FIRST DAY ON DECEMBER 7TH AND SHE DID NOT WANT TO ADMIT INJURY UNTIL LATER and not be put into nursing service ???????????????
…………………..your guess is as good as mine. I have wondered if she had sensationalized the whole thing, but her foot was visibly disfigured and it was very hard for her to be ambulatory in later years. Hawaii building standards were pretty minimal early on and some civilian facilities were attacked. It is entirely possible she just compensated for a very long time with a rush job repair. That is about all I know………….. but Aunt Thelma did remember the recuperation period spent at her home in South Gate. That was not vivid imagination. She did have a 2nd or possibly 3rd medical procedure done but it was not 100% effective. I cannot imagine Thelma being confused about such a thing. They took mother to Tijuana shopping and had a bad car accident on the way back. Mother flew into the windshield which caused a crooked nose. Thelma said they stocked up on canned goods and those heavy cans also hit the windshield. It was a bad accident. It would be great to have a YOUTUBE video of the whole thing. It does not exist. Hawaii was in a state of emergency for years. Lots of events were squelched and not properly documented. . Anyone there at the time DELETED any and all messages in correspondence about events happening in Honolulu. It was playing ball and nobody squawked…………………. and after enough years I am sure exact situations were but a blur. If I think of anything, I will let you know. – Pete Zeimet
Danielle:
Thanks – I know the brief record I have says she did have a surgery – and her diary entry that matches the date says something like the things I would like to write here but can’t … I am going to include the family lore as well – it’s a crazy story – with some many wonky pieces.
How are you anyway?
D-
Jo Zeimet, later:
Laughing, as mom always wanted the colorful and fun part of the story. I remember her talking about the day trip to Mexico with Thelma and Orville. Mom said they bought a whole bunch of huaraches, which flew out of the car on impact. People were looking for enough people in the accident to match up with the shoes.
My favorite story from that period was Thelma having a tantrum out of the blue — Throwing a full bowl of spaghetti and sauce everywhere (including Orville’s dress white) and breaking every dish. Then saying, well, I feel better now.
I’m not OCD, but a musician. I tend to remember the colorful and fun parts, too. Sorry, what a failure as an auntie.
Danielle: I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give 🙂
Leave a comment