Preservation of Historic Artifacts & Stories
Mary Freiberg and family returned to Hawaii with her uncle's ship flag that flew onboard the USS Rigel, ported in Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941. The flag was strafed by the attacking Japanese aircraft on the fantail of the ship and bears the scars of the attack with two bullet holes. Her uncle Cy was given the flag by an Admiral "Husband" as a gesture of gratitude for what the 18 year old signalman did that day. He and his crewmen took a small skiff from his ship during the attack and pulled burning sailors out of the harbor that were blown off the torpedoed ships tied up aside battleship row, saving numerous lives. Was the flag given to Cy by the Admiral Husband E. Kimmel??? We'll never know but his story and legacy live on in the Home of the Brave Museum!
Recording History & Acts of Heroism
A great friend and Pearl Harbor Survivor, US Navy Commander John Mathrusse shared his harrowing experience on the "Day of Infamy" while the attack raged. Commander Mathrusse was on Ford Island, assigned to the carrier USS Enterprise which thankfully had not arrived before the attack. He and fellow military personnel fought back with what ever weapons they could find and helped injured sailors off the USS California to safety.
Education
The mission of the Home of the Brave & Remember Honor Salute Foundation is to preserve the legacy of our Greatest Generation through education and hands-on history. Guests peruse the largest private WWII collection in the Pacific where everything has been donated by veterans and their families.