US Navy commemorates Pearl Harbor Day

As pastors read the names of the Pearl Harbor survivors who have since died, a bell was rung each time a name was called.

We spoke with local veterans who want all Americans to remember the day that lives in infamy.

A memorial service was held at the National World War II Memorial in Washington to honour the dead in the Japanese bombing on Pearl Harbour 74 years ago.

Videos from Pearl Harbor played throughout the day at the Fargo VFW in honor of the anniversary. This year’s theme is “Pathway to Reconciliation: From Engagement to Peace” and focuses on the normalization and subsequent friendship between the USA and Japan. In Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy and National Park Service hosted a ceremony in remembrance of those killed on December 7, 1941. Now he is 92 and says he enjoys sharing his story, especially to younger people, to teach them the lesson of how evil war truly is. Most of the soldiers in his division were in town that day for a parade.

“We sailed underneath the Golden Gate Bridge”, he said Monday. “I’m proud and honored to commemorate this solemn but important occasion from the place where World War II began for our nation and to pay my respects for the 1,177 crew members who lost their lives on the historic battleship named for our state”. “Evidently, the Japanese didn’t have us on their schedule, and so they just ignored us”. The air strikes killing more than 2,000 Americans would be the catalyst that launched the United States into the Second World War. It come down and I believe it tried to hit the hospital to kill us, as many as they could, but when he crashed, he missed the top of the hospital and crashed into an empty house.

Forty-one years later, WWII vets Harold McDaniel and Marvin Westcott lay down a wreath at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, honoring the sacrifice made by those courageous men and women who fought to the end.