The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Veterans, residents remember Pearl Harbor
TORRINGTON — A sharp, cold breeze ruffled the American flag of the war memorial at Coe Memorial Park Tuesday afternoon, as residents, town officials and veterans groups gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
About 50 people stood quietly while Michael Kaneb, a member of the Torrington Veterans Affairs Commission, welcomed them and introduced various guests. Among them was Nick Gandolfo, an Army veteran of the Korean War, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Elinor Carbone and state Reps. Jay Case, R-Winsted, Michelle Cook, D- Torrington, and Maria Horn, D-Salisbury, thanked all veterans for their service.
Cook read a proclamation from the state, and Carbone read one from the city, naming Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
“I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your service,” Carbone said. “On this day, let’s remember those who died 80 years ago.”
On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing more than 2,300 Americans. The USS Arizona sustained major damage and sank and the USS Oklahoma capsized. After the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and joined WWII.
Roger Geiger, chaplain for the local American Legion Post 38, Torrington, led the honor guard for a four-gun salute, and member Michal Rentschler played taps on her trumpet.
In his prayer, Geiger said those who died at Pearl Harbor would never be forgotten, for their ultimate sacrifice. “Greater love hath no man, than those who lay down their lives for their friends,” he said.