Historic Moment at historic Oyster Bar: Pearl Harbor Survivor Returns

It was another historic moment for the historic Grand Central Oyster Bar, and there have been many, last Friday (May 26).

The word came that morning from executive chef Sandy Ingber and general manager Frank Botta that in just a few hours Veteran John Seelie, 94-½ years young, and known to be the LAST SURVIVOR of the U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division from Schofield Barracks, Pearl Harbor, would be at the restaurant.

The annual Cirillo World Fleet Week tradition of celebrating the military would start earlier than expected (original start-time at Rudy’s Bar and Grill on Ninth Avenue was 2:30 PM), and deputy Scott Martin was summoned from headquarters to join this writer to hastily convene at the front of the Oyster Bar in just a little more than an hour.

Veteran Seelie was to be honored by Tails of Hope Foundation during his visit to the NY-NJ area from (May 23-3) to participate in several ceremonies during Fleet Week. It was to be an historic visit, and it was Veteran Seelie's highest priority to honor the fallen of 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, tying together the two worst attacks on American soil.

"I hope that people remember Pearl Harbor. I just hope that people remember the whole war and not be so anxious to start another,” he said.

The 25th Infantry were the first responders during the attack. One of the first to spot Japanese fighter planes on the morning of Pearl Harbor, Seelie said that they flew “so low you were scared they would hit your head.”

But there’s more!

The American hero had requested that the Oyster Bar be on the day’s agenda because in 1951 – that was 66 years ago – he had enjoyed a bowl of the seafood eatery’s famous oyster stew. That’s a long time in between spoons, and he wanted another taste!

And so it was, at 11:45 AM, we’re in front of the Oyster Bar with Veteran Seelie, Chayga the noble German Sheppard from the MTA Police K-9 Unit and officer4234Fred Morello.

Seelie was accompanied by his biographer – Diane Pirzada – complete with cameras, flashing away, and a videographer.

“It’s been a few years, I wonder if it’s still on the menu,” wondered Seelie as he entered the Oyster Bar.

Officer Seelie was greeted by chef Ingber, proud to meet this American hero, told him that it was indeed still a favorite on the menu, give him the tour de force, along with the explanation of the oyster stew and pan roast procedures.

Since his original and only visit to the Oyster Bar was almost seven decades ago (he was just 28 years old), Officer Seelie explained that he went to Oyster Bar back then simply because of the restaurant’s legendary status: “There was no real reason other than I was in New York and had heard so much about it.”

The return visit had a very specific intent however: Through all these years, John said that he never forgot the taste of the Oyster Stew. After the brief chat with chef Ingber about the various changes in the restaurant’s appearance over the years, the Army veteran asked if the recipe for the Oyster Stew had changed. As soon as he took his first bite, he had his answer, delightfully saying with a smile: “The recipe hasn’t changed.”

To accompany his stew, John ordered a Manhattan, which prompted Scott Martin to ask if that was his drink of choice or if he just felt inclined to order one since he was in Manhattan, to which he replied: “My drink is a Mai Tai, but that’s a Florida drink, not a New York drink”.

Tails of Hope Foundation was committed to honoring Veteran Seelie in two ways: 1. by funding his stay while in the NYC area and 2. by hosting a ceremony for Veteran Seelie that will include 9/11 survivors, nearly 100 canine teams and wounded veterans from America's recent wars.

Seelie came to New York primarily to visit the 9/11 memorial. As a veteran of Pearl Harbor, John said that he feels a special connection between himself and those who passed away during 9/11, as these are considered to be the only two acts of war that have been committed on U.S. soil. When asked about the specific qualities that link survivors of these two tragedies, he responded by simply with one word: “Resilience.”

Diane Pirzada, founder of High Command (an organization which works with and represents WWII veterans) who has been with Seelie for his entire trip elaborated on this sentiment: “The big thing that he represents, is that spirit of American resilience. Wherever he goes, he is met with the highest level of honor and respect.” John is a survivor of one of our nation’s greatest tragedies, and the resilience he’s shown is an inspiration for fellow Americans.

Another fascinating tidbit that Seelie shared was the fact that not only was he a welterweight boxer (he was undefeated and had registered 29 KO’s), he was actually in preparation for a fight that was to take place that very night when the Japanese attacked.

John Seelie, a fighter in the truest sense of the word, still going strong. The Grand Central Oyster Bar was proud to host this Pearl Harbor hero, its many staff members were privileged to meet him, as a special piece of history was added to its already storied past.

(Here are two links to articles on John Seelie, boxing prowess, and more: https://donmooreswartales.com/2010/07/16/john-seelie/
https://pearlharbormemorials.com/survivor-john-seelie/