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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- It's been exactly 70 years since Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan, but it's still fresh in the minds of many area veterans.
Several dozen local vets, including members of American Legion Post 274, came to Peekskill City Hall to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on that day.
Among them was World War II Veteran Russ Harrison, who arrived in Hawaii shortly after the attack and recalled taking part in attempts to to raise the U.S.S. Oklahoma, which he said ultimately proved futile. He said the 2,400 Americans who perished that morning did not die in vain.
"After the attack millions of people answered the call to service, and more than two thirds of the ships attacked were repaired and returned to action," Harrison said. "Before the war was over, 32 of the 33 Japanese ships of the attacking force were sunk. The United States survived this tragic day of Dec. 7 and fought a war against oppression and tyranny. We must vow that America never forgets the heroes of that tragic day."
Cortlandt's William Nazario, commander of Chapter 21 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and chairman of the Hudson Valley Veteran's Committee, agreed.
"One thing I learned when I went into the Marine Corps, I had a drill instructor who kept telling us those who forget history are doomed to repeat it," Nazario said. "We must not let our young people forget the bravery and the heroism of Pearl Harbor, just like we must not allow the 9/11 anniversary to go unnoticed"
Westchester County Legislator John Testa, a Peekskill High School teacher, said he was very pleased that students he spoke to today knew about what happened 70 years ago in Hawaii, thanks to documentaries, films and their teachers.
"We made a real effort today at Peekskill High School to make sure our students realized what today was and they truly realized the sacrifices made by those people, many of them in this community and their families and why we need to remember," Testa said.
Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster said that those who were there on that day in Pearl Harbor showed great resolve.
"It's hard to envision what it must have been like 70 years ago to be on the island and to see the attacks coming in, and the resolve that it took for those Army, Navy and Air Force men to move the equipment out of the way as best they could and preserve what of the fleet they could preserve and to then take up the fight," Foster said.
Vito Pinto, director of the Westchester County Veterans Service Agency, said ceremonies like the one Wednesday were necessary to keep the legacy of that generation alive.
"It should serve as an example to others, whether in communities or schools, to engage in programs such as we are today," Pinto said. "Programs that reflect on the role of the attack on Pearl Harbor had to instill in the American people a resolve to rally and use all means at their disposal to engage in and be victorious in a war on two fronts, a resolve that would become known as the greatest generation."
The ceremony ended with the crowd joining Celia Grabowiecki in singing God Bless America.
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