Pearl Harbor remembered 75 years later
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
The national chief of staff of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Allen Q. Jones, stands to be recognized as one of the few remaining World War II veterans in attendance at a Pearl Harbor commemoration ceremony on Wednesday at the North Union Township VFW.
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Monongahela, describes the ceremonies given to fallen soldiers at a Pearl Harbor commemoration at the VFW Post 8543 in North Union Township on Wednesday.
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Thomas “Ace” Hanzes, junior vice commander of the PA Veterans of Foreign Wars, gives remarks at the service.
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Air Force Sergeant John Yokobosky fires a salute to commemorate fallen soldiers at a Pearl Harbor 75th anniversary ceremony on Wednesday at the North Union Township VFW.
Thomas Brown, State Commander of the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars, spoke about America's unification after Pearl Harbor as the country was pulled into World War II. The North Union Township VFW Post 8543 held a Pearl Harbor commemoration for the 75th anniversary of the attack that began America's entry into WWII.
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Anne Cryder of Greenville, Mercer County, faces the presentation of colors to say the Pledge of Allegiance as the ceremony begins.
With heartfelt speeches and patriotic songs, local residents gathered at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8543 in North Union Township Wednesday morning to remember the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The program commemorated the Japanese attack on the U.S. Pacific fleet in Hawaii at 7:55 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, claiming more than 2,400 lives and plunging the nation into World War II.
“We are here to honor those who paid the ultimate price and those who stood strong to preserve our way of life,” said Dan Bolbecker of Uniontown, a retired Air Force master sergeant and post adjutant, who served as master of ceremonies.
The program featured state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Monongahela, as special guest speaker. Bartolotta noted her grandfather was a member of the ground crew for the Enola Gay, which dropped an atomic bomb Hiroshima in 1945 in an effort to end the war, and flew on the mission in an accompanying plane.
Bartolotta, whose many family members have served in the military and who is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, noted that because of those willing to serve, “We enjoy freedom and liberty in the greatest country in the world.”
Saying, “I represent so many grateful Americans,” Bartolotta urged people to reach out to someone who has served to say thank you.
“It’s a powerful, moving statement to someone who has sacrificed so much,” she remarked, before adding her own: “To all who have served and their families, God bless you, God keep you and thank you.”
The post also welcomed home Thomas Hanzes, a Lemont Furnace native now living in Greenville, who is serving as state junior vice commander for the VFW.
While the attack on Pearl Harbor was a devastating blow, Hanzes recalled the famous quote of Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in commenting, “Little did Japan realize they had awakened a sleeping giant. They soon found out they got more than they bargained for.”
He added, “We have much to be thankful for and remember.”
Thomas A. Brown of Swarthmore, VFW Pennsylvania state commander, served as the main speaker, telling his own memory of learning the news of Pearl Harbor as a child.
“I was 9 years old, sitting in my living room and doing my homework. Sitting with me was a young man from up the street, who ended up being a member of the 101st Airborne in the war. He was killed,” said Brown.
Just as people living on the mainland were surprised, the state commander talked about how those serving at Pearl Harbor in 1941 had no idea what was happening when the attack began. He urged people to continue to remember.
“It should be important to us and to our future,” said Brown, adding his pleasure that Junior ROTC cadets from Laurel Highlands and Albert Gallatin high schools attended the ceremony and served as color guard.
Interviewed before the program, Kaden Earley of Uniontown, an Albert Gallatin sophomore, said the Junior ROTC discussed Pearl Harbor in class and learned what the sacrifices meant.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to be here,” Earley said. “I come from a military family, and it’s great to see these veterans who put their lives on the line for our country. It’s heartwarming to see these men and the people who are here to appreciate them.”
The program included patriotic music by the VFW Ceremonial Band. Steve Minnick served as chaplain, and James Clark was officer of the day. Carl Stockton is post commander.
Veterans from World War II to Afghanistan and Iraq representing a variety of service organizations and posts attended the program along with Fayette County Commissioners Vince Vicites and Angela Zimmerlink, while Debra Rhodes represented Commissioner Dave Lohr. State Rep. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, attended along with Madonna Nicklow, Fayette County Veterans Affairs director, and Allen Jones of Dunbar Township, who is VFW district commander, past state commander and national chief of staff. The VFW Post 8543 Auxiliary also offered support.
The program continued outside as the color guard stood at attention while cadets placed a wreath at a veterans memorial. Vietnam Veterans Inc. offered a 21-gun salute. The band played more music and ended the program with the hauntingly beautiful taps.
Tom Stefancin of Uniontown, a World War II veteran who served with the Air Force in Germany in 1945, said he thought the program was wonderful and remarked, “It’s an honor to be here to honor those who served.”