The two older men sit shoulder-to-shoulder on the edge of the pond surrounding Temple Square's Sea Gull Monument. They peer momentarily at a sheet of paper, then begin leafing slowly through a pile of well-worn photos.
Oblivious to the throngs of visitors milling about them, they gesture animatedly at times, nod knowingly while deep in thought and occasionally remove their glasses to brush away a tear.Smiles and tears appear to alternate as the two - one silver-haired and wearing suit and tie, the other balding, bearded and wearing a striped open-neck sport shirt - talk and reflect.
While tour guides take visitors 142 years back in time to the early settlement of the Salt Lake Valley, Royal Shields and Merlin Nielsen are on their own voyage through time, revisiting Hawaii in August 1945. They're recalling their reactions to the news that Japan had finally surrendered, bringing World War II to an end.
In their minds' eye, they watch aircraft streaking overhead in victorious celebration. In their hearts, they relive the solemn ceremonies that followed as they joined other servicemen in remembering fallen comrades and giving thanks that others need not perish.
The men look reflectively at the yellowed paper containing their typewritten accounts of shared remembrances and emotions. "We went right back to the barracks and wrote down how we felt and how the ceremonies affected us, Nielsen said.
For Shields and Nielsen, Friday was a reunion. Forty-four years ago they said goodbye at their last meeting in Hawaii, but time has not mellowed the bond of friendship.
"We really haven't had any contact over that time except here and here," said Shields, touching his head and heart. "We've never been far away in our minds and hearts."
The men first met at an LDS servicemen's group in Hawaii in early 1944.
"We clicked immediately," said Nielsen, giving his war buddy an affectionate hug. "We were together for quite awhile and really got to be good friends."
But at war's end, it was time for parting. Shields, a Navy lieutenant, was shipped off to Japan to join the U.S. occupation forces. Nielsen, an electronics draftsman for the Navy, returned to his native Utah, eventually opening an automotive service business in his hometown of Moroni, Sanpete County.
After finishing his stint with the Navy, Shields, a Tooele native, returned to Utah to study engineering. Though both were again in Utah, events never allowed a reunion.
After a brief stint with Utah companies, Shields found himself working in northern California. Work assignments and family reunions would occasionally bring him back home, but again, getting together with his old friend never seemed to work out.
Nielsen, who himself managed to fit in a good deal of traveling over the years, lost track of his friend. "I had no idea of where to find him or where he was living," Nielsen said.
Shields, who is now retired, said he decided to arrange a meeting earlier this year as he made plans to visit Utah for a family gathering and a high school reunion.
"I called the operator in Moroni and asked them if they had a big ugly guy named Nielsen still living there," Shields joked. "They told me no, but they had a nice-looking guy who was a (LDS) bishop."
As the two met at Temple Square, the years quickly melted away, returning them to that last meeting in Hawaii. The lost years were regained as they sat on the edge of the pond trading family histories, stories and anecdotes. Family photos were pulled from worn envelopes and compared as the two buddies renewed a bond that had kept their friendship alive despite those 40-plus years of separation.