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Community Corner

Pearl Harbor Remembered (Video)

Veterans gathered at the American Legion yesterday in commemoration.

Today, most Americans will never forget where they were Sept. 11, 2001. Similarly, many of a previous era felt the same about Dec. 7, 1941.

Yesterday marked the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks. Cuyahoga Falls members honored the day at the American Legion ceremony that afternoon.

 “[Pearl Harbor was] an event of catastrophic proportions which plunged this country into a campaign that tested its medal and called upon its greatest generation to stand and fight for the ideals for which this nation is founded upon,” said Randy Rivers, Air Force veteran and University of Akron Police Academy Commander.

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Through recounts of family members and friends who experienced Pearl Harbor, he spoke of tough times the country faced before and after the attacks. Citizens reeled from the Great Depression and struggled to find work, he said.

And then, of course, the Japanese dropped the bombs, triggering American entry into World War II.  

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“We had a lot of intelligence back then that told us something was going to happen today [Dec. 7],” said Mayor Don Robart. “There was a time gap, nobody accounted for that and we were left flat-footed.”

Mayor Robart spoke early in the ceremony to about 30 guests and veterans. Each veteran in attendance was thanked and recognized.

Navy veteran of 1961 to 1964, Charles Palko came to remember the attacks and all of the people lost that day.

“It hit close to home,” he said about Pearl Harbor because of his own military service.

To finish his ceremonial speech, Mayor Robart read a poem about a soldier post mortem, waiting to hear his destiny with God.

“I think it summarizes our thoughts about the military, and how each and every one of them has given up so much and many have given up their lives,” he said.

The event closed with a prayer and time to socialize among the veterans and community members.

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