74th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

Numerous survivors of Pearl Harbor travel to Pearl Harbor every anniversary to participate in the remembrance ceremonies, but what do the generations after do to remember this date-not only the tragedy of it, but the significance of this event and the fight and sacrifice our country’s military delivered?

With many in attendance, including current members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the ceremony began with comments from Bill Westcott. I look up, and here comes this plane.

The Japanese managed to destroy and put down around 20 American naval vessels and almost 200 airplanes.

Now a symbol of friendship, the scorched war relic was recovered in 1945 in Shizuoka, Japan after two B-29 US bombers collided overhead.

After the tribute, the guests stood in reverence for the sounding of taps, followed by the presentation of the wreaths to the Pearl Harbor survivors and special guests.

On the 74th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks, America must keep these lessons in mind as we confront the challenges of the 21st century.

“They gave me insight into an experience that I don’t have a lot of familiarity with and many of these stories are new to me, so it was a chance to really hear what the day was like and what it meant to him”.

At the time, Pfundheller was serving on the USS Maryland.

Though World War II was one of the most popularly supported wars in American history, there remained periods when people jumped off the patriotic band wagon to voice other concerns. He is the last Pearl Harbor survivor living in the city.

Miller noted that in terms of shock and casualties, Pearl Harbor and the September 11 attacks are similar. While the military and intelligence-gathering practices of the time may appear to be those of a distant past, there are several key lessons the United States can and should continue to derive from the attacks on Pearl Harbor. “Dozens of civilians were also killed at Pearl Harbor, but the Japanese intention at Pearl Harbor was to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet”, he explained.

“In a war that was so bad, America was able to bring democracy to the world and unique to America, the enemy that was so visceral we became allies and friends with”, Wall said. From 1952 to 1955, Downing went on to serve as the commanding officer of the USS Patapsco in the Korean War. More than 565,860 Americans were wounded.

“My father was drafted out of St. James High School and guarded German prisoners in Italy. Another uncle was in the Army and saw a lot of combat in the Pacific”. “I was glad to be a part of it”, Beaudreau said.