While that day was the final straw that launched the USA into World War II, Japan and the United States had been edging toward war for decades.
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It played an active support role when the USS Arizona and USS Nevada were bombed during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
A moment of silence at a ceremony remembering those killed at Pearl Harbor did not go quite as planned.
The ceremony featured a solemn playing of taps and a wreath-laying.
“These were two tragic events in America’s history where we were actually attacked on our own ground”, said Veteran Jack Sanford.
Army veteran Dale Robinson, 93, remembers the attack on Pearl Harbor vividly.
The 94-year-old was assigned to the USS Phoenix on the day Japanese planes dropped bombs on the US naval base and other military installations on Oahu.
Nicholson chronicled her account of that day in “Pearl Harbor Child”, a book that gives a child’s account of the attacks.
COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Veterans lay a wreath in the water off the side of the Lexington Museum on the Bay during a remembrance ceremony on the 74th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Monday. Veteran Chuck Lishman said the day still stands out in his mind.
As of two years ago some 2,000 to 2,500 Pearl Harbor survivors were believed to be still alive, according to Eileen Martinez, chief of interpretation for the USS Arizona Memorial.
Numerous ships have since been repaired, including the USS Missouri battleship which is now open for tours. “It was one of the most unbelievable things in my life”.
“War is pardon me, hell it’s hell”, says Reverend Clark.
“I think they have some wonderful experiences to look forward to and I hope as they progress through the system, that they get as much joy as I have”, said Evans.
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Instead, his son John placed his father’s remains at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. We don’t know what they would’ve become.
