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Day 21: Final preparations
HONOLULU / PEARL HARBOR (Hawaii, USA) - The Dutch National Softball Team on Tuesday held another practice session at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. This was the last scheduled pratice of the American Tour, as the team now will play six games in the next four days. On Wednesday, a single game is scheduled to be played in Kaneohe, then on Thursday and Friday, the Dutch squad will play a double-header on the first two days of the Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament, organized by the University of Hawaii. The Dutch Team will play another tournament-game on Saturday to complete its series of games during this American Tour. On Sunday, it's a day off, before the team travels back home on Monday.
While the team practiced, KNBSB-Boardmember André van Overbeek visited the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Yesterday, due to work, he was not able to go there when the Dutch Team paid a visit to the historical site. Today, the boardmember for softball affairs went to Pearl Harbor and was accompanied by Media Officer Marco Stoovelaar, who also visited the USS Missouri Memorial, where the intstrument of surrender, which terminated World War II, was signed on September 2, 1945 when the ship was in Tokyo Bay. The instrument of surrender was accepted by and signed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers General Douglas MacArthur and representatives of Japan, the United States (Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz), China, United Kingdom, USSR, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and the Netherlands (Admiral C.E.L. Helfrich).
Besides the daily softball-activities, we had some special days during this trip.
When we were in California, we had Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day, the Oscar Ceremony and a total lunar eclipse. Now we are in Hawaii, another special day is coming up, especially for the music lovers amongst us, as the Grammy Awards will be handed out next Sunday during a live ceremony, which will be broadcast by ABC.
Talking about music, Elvis Presley gave an interview during his first visit to Hawaii in the Hilton Hotel where the Dutch Team is staying now. Also, Presidents John F. Kennedy and George H.W. Bush gave speeches here. Also, the Shell Bar of the hotel was the location for scenes of TV-series 'Hawaii-5-0'. By the way, other TV-series, such as 'Magnum, P.I.' and 'Lost' were and are being filmed on Oahu Island.
KNBSB-boardmember André van Overbeek on the USS Arizona Memorial
In the background is the USS Missouri
The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor
The damaged Air Traffic Tower, which was in use during the attack
on Pearl Harbor, on Ford Island
The USS Missouri Memorial, where the surrender was signed,
ending World War II
The signature of General Douglas MacArthur on the surrender papers
Media Officer Marco Stoovelaar in the Captain's chair on the USS Missouri
(photo taken by an American tourist)
The USS Missouri
Rainbow Wahine Softball Field, the site of the tournament, which opens Thursday
On Tuesday, the Dutch Team held its last scheduled practice
In the next four days, six games are to be played
Go back to the schedule of the USA Tour
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