Survivors return to Pearl Harbor 74 years after attack

A memory that World War II Veteran, William Hamilton, remembers as a sophomore in college when he was a Citadel Cadet.

Today, many veterans and citizens of Marietta gathered to remember the lives lost at Pearl Harbor.

On this day, 74 years ago, about 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 wounded when Japanese warplanes attacked Pearl Harbor.

“Pearl Harbor survivors are some of the last historical veterans we have left and to hear their stories and experiences firsthand is a true honor”.

The governor met with veterans and active-duty service over the weekend leading up to the day of remembrance. “He passed away about 15 years ago, but he was always a proud Marine and a Pearl Harbor survivor”. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God”.

“During the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he dove into an ocean that was aflame in a valiant attempt to save one of his fellow seamen”.

Adm. Harry Harris, the top USA military commander in the Pacific, said the day “must forever remain burned into the American consciousness”.

“You gotta keep remembering these things because the world is that way that we have to have this conflict all the time with different people”, said WWII Vet Tom Gallegos.

“It’s important that we don’t let this die, because people gave up their lives for the freedom that we have today”, said Delaney. “Our community and our nation [should be] realizing how valuable and what service the veterans have actually given to them”, says Balsamo.

Division Keyport held their 22nd Annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony in Naval Undersea Museum Jack Murdock Auditorium, Dec. 7.

“I went over and worked on the front line and then I was put in the construction battalion and worked on the ships”, said Walker.