The Journey Continues: Remembering Pearl Harbor

How far back does your memory stretch? For older folks, we recall Dec. 7, 1941, as the day the United States was attacked by Japan with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The sinking of the USS Arizona claimed the lives of 1,177 on board, the worst disaster in United States naval history

My journey this week also reminded me of Tony Iacona, an old friend of varied interests, who gave me a copy of “All the Gallant Men,” a book cowritten by Donald Stratton, a sailor that survived that December day. After his death on Feb. 16, there are only two survivors remaining from the USS Arizona.

As a veteran of the armed forces, retiring in 1989, Tony Iacona has experienced his share of life forces; his guiding life verse is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. These are his words of testimony: “As I stood beside the casket of my brother, Ray, a highly decorated soldier — who died in 1983 from alcoholism — I was thinking about my own life and that I also was an alcoholic.”

Iacona said, “I had everything to live for: a beautiful wife, two handsome sons and a great career, but I was drinking it away. I was struggling and I needed help. Suddenly, I heard a whisper in my ear: ‘Is this how you want your life to end? Do you want your sons to grow up without a father?’ I knew who it was speaking to me. We had spoken before, but I was resisting. I answered, “No, Lord, but I can’t stop. I’ve tried every way I know how, and nothing works.” He said, ‘You know what you have to do.’ I replied, ‘I give up, if you will help me with this alcohol problem… Then, I said, ‘No, NO Deals. I am sorry for my sins, come into my life, Lord Jesus. I surrender, Be my Lord.’

“I felt no sparks or anything, but from that moment on I have never touched another drop of alcohol, and it is now nearly 38 years later,” Iacona said, “The Lord performed a miracle. He took the craving for alcohol from me. The next day, I did feel different. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of me and He has never left. The Lord is not through with me yet.”

Tony and Carol Iacona have two sons and are active in First Baptist Church in San Marcos. Carol is a published children’s book author. Interestingly, Carol’s father was one of the brave men who fought in the battle at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack.