Send us a text

Have you ever wondered what it's like to stare history in the face? Imagine sitting down with a Pearl Harbor survivor, retired Consumers Energy employee, and centenarian, Herb Elfring. As we traverse the timeline of his life, we journey from the Great Depression in South Dakota and Montana, through his educational voyage to San Diego, and dive headfirst into the heart-wrenching realities of World War II. Herb's tale isn't just that of surviving Pearl Harbor; it's a testament to human resilience, a survival guide etched out on the canvass of time, steeped in the courage and fortitude of a soldier.

Herb elucidates the misconceptions around Pearl Harbor survivors, recounting his experiences of being stationed in Hawaii during the attack, and his subsequent deployment to Fiji in 1942. We tread the path less traveled as Herb navigates us through his service in the Solomon Islands and the Philippines during the war, defending an airstrip on Bogerville and using searchlights to thwart a Japanese counterattack. His intimate account of his return home, just before the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, offers a glimpse into an era that forever changed the course of human history.

But life is not all war and struggle; it's full of joy, learning, and love. We lift the veil on Herb's post-war life, where he reunited with his family, explored innovative travel methods, and experienced an emotional homecoming after five long years of separation. We also delve into his college journey, how he met his wife at a dance, his fulfilling career at Consumers, and his pride in his large family. As we wrap up this enlightening conversation with Herb, he shares his passion for golf, his cherished family memories, and the importance of carrying forward stories from the past. This episode promises a riveting account of a life lived to its fullest, the power of resilience, and the enduring bonds of family.

Support the show