Hidden away off trail inside Cades Cove in what was once Golman Myers front yard, stands a Sweet Gum Tree, known as the “Pearl Harbor Tree”. Today one could easily walk past the old homesite unaware there was even a home that once stood there.
On December 7, 1941, the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor made its’ way into the Cove.
While mourning the loss of life in Hawaii and dreading the impending war that would surely pull his draft age sons from the family farm, Gorman Myers made his way into the mountains to return to his home with a small Sweet Gum seedling.
As Mr Myers planted the small tree in his front yard, he told his family “We will remember this day forever.”
Today the Sweet Gum has grown into a very large and mighty tree.
Mr Myers was right. We will remember that day forever.
