The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE – Clifton Forge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4299 held a memorial service Monday in honor of American military personnel who lost their lives in the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor 68 years ago.
The service also honored living veterans who served their country during World War II. Veterans of Word War II are dying at a rate of 1,500 per day.
Commander Jim Rhodes welcomed the visitors to the service that was held at the Veterans Park in downtown Clifton Forge. Chaplain Wi-llard Camp opened with a prayer that read in part: “Heavenly Father, we are gathered here to commemorate those among Thy servants who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor 68 years ago this day, Dec. 7, 2009.”
Rhodes opened the service by saying, “Today, we recall an event that changed the course of history and the destiny of civilization. Sixty-eight years ago, the attack on Pearl Harbor awoke a sleeping giant and with it produced what has been called the ‘Greatest Generation.’ That day of infamy produced many U. S. casualties: 3,500 dead or wounded, 18 ships sunk or damaged and more than 350 aircraft were destroyed. Although it was a day of great tragedy, it was also a day that served to revive and replenish our national pride and our great national spirit. We remember the events of December 7, 1941, but more importantly we recall the thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who died during that terrible ambush and in the subsequent years that followed.
“For almost 60 years, the lessons learned from the attack on Pearl Harbor kept our nation safe and secure. But we learned on September 11, 2001, that we must never assume that because we enjoy an abundance of freedom, that we are exempt from danger. The attacks that occurred on December 7, 1941, and September 11, 2001, prove a point; our people may be killed and our buildings destroyed, but our enemies will never be successful in destroying our democracy or the American way of life,” Rhodes concluded.
Senior Vice Commander Doody Morris gave a talk on the USS Arizona (BB-39) that was sunk with 1,104 of its crew trapped in the ship and entombed there today.
The article entitled, “All Is Well” tells about the Arizona and its crew and what occurred that day, December 7, 1941. The sun was rising that clear Sunday morning. The ship was polished and clean. So below they were allowed to dream. The deck watch on duty, the ensign displayed. The planes came from the north, low and fast. With rapid descent, a bomb finds it mark. And inside a violent blast. The ship trembled and turned on her side, smoke billowed as parts of her flew. She hissed as she sunk to the bottom. The Arizona went down with her crew. The battle continued a bit longer as other ships met their doom. The sun is still rising; our flag is still flown; with war there is much regret. At the bottom of Pearl Harbor lies the BB-39 and 1,104 members of her crew who went with her. This water is their hallowed tomb. Neath the waves and salty brine she is still Listed yet, a ship of the fleet.
“All who sails past, render honors to the memories of her feat. To go aboard her memorial is to visit a hallowed shrine. It has been said that sometimes you can hear noise from the deep. Could it be the call to General Quarters? Is it a vigil her crew still keeps?
“The mighty Arizona (BB-39) God bless you and your dead,” Morris said.
The service was concluded with Richard Erskine playing “Taps,” and the post giving the pledge of allegiance.
Members of the Clifton Forge Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4299, attending the ceremony were: Trustee Bob Berry, David Agee, Junior Vice Commander Richard Erskine, Rhodes, Quartermaster Winnie Spangler, Camp, Senior Morris, Mayor Don Carter, Clifton Forge Town Manger Tracey Shiflett, and Jack Kimberlin, who is celebrating his 86th birthday today.
Kimberlin served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during War World II and participated in 36 B-29 flights over Germany.
