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Survivor recalls fear, anger on day of Pearl Harbor attack
Posted On Dec 08 2016
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“What I fought for was life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, said Geraci, 92, of Norwood.
Schab, 96, who moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, in 2012, was a sailor in the band aboard the USS Dobbin when the attack erupted.
A remembrance ceremony was held in Jersey City to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“Prior to the attack, it was a bright sunny day, and I was getting ready to go to church services”, Beaudreau said. His ship, the minesweeper USS Condor, was the first to spot a periscope from a Japanese midget submarine that tried to find its way into the harbor but was sunk. The South Philly native described the morning he and his fellow Navy members realized they were under attack by the Japanese. It ended with F-22 fighter jets flying in formation overhead.
The band prepared for the trip by rehearsing military music, and also had the opportunity to hear from a local World War II veteran about his experience serving at Pearl Harbor after the attack.
“Somebody has to remember”, said Mike Paschkes, a Korean War veteran.
Lawrence said her grandfather was one of many welders who tried, unsuccessfully, to free survivors trapped inside the Arizona.
They represent the only CT school invited to be among the 1,300 USA and Japanese students who are performing.
The 92 year-old was stationed in Hawaii two years after Japanese bombers attacked.
After the assault, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan and American took its first step into World War II. “It was the most important stage in my life”.
“All of this started with the bravery of our pearl harbor Veterans”. A time when we remember all those who sacrificed on our behalf.
“No one ever apologized, but I also say, ‘Hey, we found it now, ‘ ” he says.
Downing plans to return to Pearl Harbor Wednesday with other survivors to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack that left more than 2,300 service people dead. And with nowhere to hide, “I was afraid”, he said.
