thedrifter
12-08-06, 07:45 AM
Pearl Harbor survivors commemorate heroes
By: SHANNON WINGARD - For the North County Times
OCEANSIDE ---- A small, somber group of local survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 65 years ago paid tribute to those who survived the horror of that day but have since died.
During a special ceremony Thursday, a group of about 30 survivors marked the placing of a new monument near the small fishing pier in Oceanside Harbor. The black marble memorial mounted on concrete contains the names of 146 local Pearl Harbor survivors ---- all members or former members of the Tri-City chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
"This is the culmination of four years of work of quite a few men who are no longer with us," said Joe Walsh, the 87-year-old president of the local chapter.
Walsh said the chapter, which has 38 living members, created the memorial to help "people remember the day we got caught, and to not let it happen again."
A few simple words ---- "Remember Pearl Harbor" and "Keep America Alert" ---- adorn both sides of the memorial. It also reminds people of the day, Dec. 7, 1941, when more than 2,400 Americans died in the attack.
The seven local chapter members who died this year were honored during Thursday's ceremony ---- their names were read aloud as bells rang. Participants also placed flowers in the harbor in remembrance.
Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood said the memorial was fittingly placed in a "military town," adding that it was an emotional ceremony for him because his father served in the Navy during World War II.
"I was always involved with this group of heroes," he said. "As we've always said, this is the greatest generation."
Wood also described the "beautiful and serene location" as a fitting place to "remember those people."
Ted Roosvall, 86, a member who served as a Marine for 22 years, said remembering what happened at Wai Momi ---- Hawaiian for "Waters of Pearl" ---- creates a "bridge to the past."
"This is what history is about --- what happened and why it happened," the San Marcos resident said. "You have to have history so you can learn from it."
John Quier, a member of the association from Fallbrook, said he had the "honor" of reading the names of the survivors who died this year. He said he hopes the tribute "helps us remember the military people who are fighting now, and who fought in World War II."
He added that he hopes people remember the sacrifices others have made for the nation.
"We have to join together as a nation to protect this country, because freedom is not free," Quier said. "That's why we recognize these men."
Ellie
By: SHANNON WINGARD - For the North County Times
OCEANSIDE ---- A small, somber group of local survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 65 years ago paid tribute to those who survived the horror of that day but have since died.
During a special ceremony Thursday, a group of about 30 survivors marked the placing of a new monument near the small fishing pier in Oceanside Harbor. The black marble memorial mounted on concrete contains the names of 146 local Pearl Harbor survivors ---- all members or former members of the Tri-City chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
"This is the culmination of four years of work of quite a few men who are no longer with us," said Joe Walsh, the 87-year-old president of the local chapter.
Walsh said the chapter, which has 38 living members, created the memorial to help "people remember the day we got caught, and to not let it happen again."
A few simple words ---- "Remember Pearl Harbor" and "Keep America Alert" ---- adorn both sides of the memorial. It also reminds people of the day, Dec. 7, 1941, when more than 2,400 Americans died in the attack.
The seven local chapter members who died this year were honored during Thursday's ceremony ---- their names were read aloud as bells rang. Participants also placed flowers in the harbor in remembrance.
Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood said the memorial was fittingly placed in a "military town," adding that it was an emotional ceremony for him because his father served in the Navy during World War II.
"I was always involved with this group of heroes," he said. "As we've always said, this is the greatest generation."
Wood also described the "beautiful and serene location" as a fitting place to "remember those people."
Ted Roosvall, 86, a member who served as a Marine for 22 years, said remembering what happened at Wai Momi ---- Hawaiian for "Waters of Pearl" ---- creates a "bridge to the past."
"This is what history is about --- what happened and why it happened," the San Marcos resident said. "You have to have history so you can learn from it."
John Quier, a member of the association from Fallbrook, said he had the "honor" of reading the names of the survivors who died this year. He said he hopes the tribute "helps us remember the military people who are fighting now, and who fought in World War II."
He added that he hopes people remember the sacrifices others have made for the nation.
"We have to join together as a nation to protect this country, because freedom is not free," Quier said. "That's why we recognize these men."
Ellie