December 8, 2015 - The VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary held a ceremony on Monday, December 7, 2015 in honor and remembrance of those who served and died at Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941.
"As you know, flags today are at half staff all across the nation in remembrance of two tragedies Pearl Harbor and the shooting in San Bernardino California," said Larry Hume, Post 8904 Quartermaster.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Hume continued, "As we all know, it began when the Japanese aircraft appeared in the air over Pearl Harbor, [Hawaii] just before 8am on Sunday morning. When the attack ceased shortly before 10am, less than two hours after it began, American forces had paid a fearful price. 18 ships were either damaged or sunk, 180 aircraft destroyed and over 2,400 were dead and thousands more were wounded."
Hume quoted then President Franklin Roosevelt as he spoke with forewarning words when he stated, "No matter how long it may take us to overcome, this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory with the unbounding determination of our people. We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God."
In honor of the event, Hume welcomed Robbie (Robert) Hughes III who just returned from Egypt where he was deployed for 10 months, "His first re-enlistment in the United States Army was on the U.S.S. Arizona," said Hume.
Hughes then placed the memorial wreath on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial. The names of Shelby County Veterans who were at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack on December 7, 2015 were read by post members including Becky Maidic, Sandy Risinger, Mary Fausett and Dr. Robert Hughes.
The names are as follows: Oswald "Bill" Adams, U.S. Navy; Sidney A. Dry, U.S. Navy; Sammie Lovell, U.S. Army; Clarence "Chuck" Otterman, U.S. Navy; A.L. "Mann Pinkston," U.S. Navy; Glenn Prince, U.S. Navy; V.A. "Buck" Reynolds, U.S. Navy; Harold Rogers, U.S. Navy – Seabees; Robert Rupe, U.S. Navy; James R. Stephens, U.S. Army; R.D. Strong, U.S. Navy; Henry R. Victory, U.S. Army; Willie Windham, U.S. Navy; Earl O. Wood, U.S. Army.
Taps was played as presented by John Piersol, Past Post Commander.
Hume remarked at the end of the ceremony there were 16 million men and women who served in World War II. Today there are less than 1.2 million alive. According to Hume, 1,200 veterans pass away every day, which equates to around 438,000 a year.
"600 of those will be from the World War II era, and it is estimated by I believe the year 2035 there will be no more World War Veterans to walk the earth," said Hume.
