The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Burnside-Carpenter Post 4299 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars held a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at Veterans Park in Clifton Forge, Saturday.
The ceremony marked the 78th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941.
Four veterans — Tom McHenry, Kenny Lowman, George Benoit and Jim Rhodes — presented the ceremony to the five Clifton Forge residents that showed up to participate in the remembrance on a sunny Saturday morning.
The ceremony opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, followed by a prayer led by McHenry.
“We remember those who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor and those we’ve lost since then,” began McHenry.
Lowman than gave an overview saying, “December 7 was a day of tragedy, sacrifice and heroism that united a nation; it was a day that lives in infamy.”
He then led the audience in a moment of remembrance “to honor and be inspired by all who served and to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting to preserve our nation’s freedom.”
“Today, we continue to be inspired by their dignity and perseverance, and are strengthened by the memory of their actions,” added Lowman. “May we leave here equally resolved in our determination to serve our nation and fellow man as selflessly as they did.”
McHenry then welcomed and thanked the audience for their attendance.
“We can never forget the heavy price paid 78 years ago: 21 vessels damaged or sunk, 170 planes destroyed, more than 2,400 dead and 1,200 wounded – soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and civilians,” said McHenry.
“About 60,000 service men and women survived the attack; today, only about 2,000 of them are still living,” added McHenry.
“May God bless our Pearl Harbor survivors, and our World War II veterans. May God bless those who followed in their wake – the men and women of our armed forces, past, present, and future – who have stepped forward to defend our nation.
“And may God bless the United States of America, which will forever be the land of the free and the home of the brave,” said McHenry in conclusion.
The ceremony closed with Bugler Lowman playing Taps, as the crowd faced and saluted the flags, to remember those lost to wars.
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Members of Burnside-Carpenter Post 4299 held a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony Saturday morning at Veterans Park in Clifton Forge. From left, Tom McHenry, Kenny Lowman, George Benoit and Jim Rhodes. Saturday marked the 78th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that propelled the United States into World War II. (P.E. Marshall Photo)
