The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
VETERANS HONORED
Pearl Harbor Day honors the sacrifice of service members
“It’s great to see veterans come out, the JROTC getting involved, members of the community and members of the Lorain Fire Department.” — Allan Labranche, vice president of AMVET Post 47
Lorain Amvets Post 47 held the Honoring Pearl Harbor Day ceremony at the Lorain Port Authority’s Transportation Center on Nov. 7.
The ceremony featured a 21-gun salute, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, prayer, playing of “taps,” the ceremonial tossing of the wreath into the Black River and the presenting of the colors by the Lorain High School Army JROTC.
“This is something we do every year,” said Allan Labranche, vice president of AMVET Post 47. “It’s great to see veterans come out, the
JROTC getting involved, members of the community and members of the Lorain Fire Department.”
Labranche said every year, the ceremony concludes with the Veteran of The Year tossing the wreath into the river.
“Joe Horvath is our Veteran of The Year this year,” he said. “Joe will be leading the pledge and tossing the wreath. The wreath honors veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”
Labranche said there has been a ceremony for Pearl Harbor for the past 71 years.
“It’s one of those things that has always been going on,” he said. “People knew back then the event should be remembered and the people honored.
“We’ve been continuing it at AMVET Post 47, by honoring the patriots who gave it all so we can have the freedoms we do today.”
Labranche said preserving people’s legacies is what drives the Pearl Harbor Day ceremony.
“We should always remember those who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor,” he said. “The people who served in WWII are the ‘greatest generation.’ They shaped and made America what it is today; we owe them a lot.”
Sandro Marrero, a Lorain High student and member of JROTC, said he was honored to be a part of the ceremony.
“I joined JROTC as a way to continue what my sister had started,” Marrero said. “She became pregnant and was unable to continue, so it is something that I wanted to do for her. It’s been a real fun experience.” He said members of the JROTC and Armed Forces have a strong bond.
“It has been a second family for me,” Marrero said. “We interact with veterans and people who currently served.
“I gained a greater appreciation for the sacrifices they’ve made, and I’m honored to be a JROTC member. Veterans and current members of the armed forces are real life super heroes and deserve everyone’s admiration and grat- itude.”