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Vets honor those killed in ’41 attack
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Veterans salute during the Pledge of Allegiance during an observance of the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. The event was Wednesday at AMVETS Post 44 in Struthers.
STRUTHERS
About 25 veterans and guests gathered at AMVETS Post 44 here to pay tribute to the Navy, Marine and Army personnel killed Dec. 7, 1941, in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and to keep the memory of the attack alive.
The motto of the National Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, which is disbanding Dec. 31, is “Remember Pearl Harbor — Keep America Alert — Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty,” meant to warn America to be vigilant so another Pearl Harbor doesn’t happen.
About 2,400 military personnel were killed in the attack, some 200 planes destroyed, and the United States Pacific Fleet severely crippled.
Among those who survived is Robert Bishop of Austintown, who was below deck on the USS Tennessee during the attack.
Bishop, who will be 91 on Dec. 19, said during the observance of the 70th anniversary of the attack at the post that his ship was lucky.
“It was hit by two bombs, but only five of my shipmates were killed,” he said.
The Tennessee sustained damage at Pearl Harbor but was repaired and returned to service participating in numerous operations during the war, Bishop said.
“Unfortunately, as time goes on, people forget,” said Navy Lt. John Hozler, commanding officer of the Navy Operational Support Center at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna.
Though the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was devastating, coming back from the blow showed the resolve of the Navy and the nation, said Hozler, who, with Bishop, placed a wreath in front of the AMVETS post home to honor Pearl Harbor and other World War II veterans.
“People are starting to forget. I’d just like to keep the memory alive,” said Navy veteran Edward Fitzpatrick of Poland, explaining his reason for attending the observance. He served on the USS Cadmus, a repair ship, from 1961 to 1965 during the Vietnam War.
Dale Pullium, also of Poland, an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, said he came to the observance to recognize the Pearl Harbor and other World War II veterans who are still here.
Jan Brown of AMVETS Post 44, a retired Air Force veteran, coordinated the program and luncheon.