Museum reflects on 80th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor
Wreath laying memorial event attended by members of military
Members of all branches of the United States military attended a wreath-laying memorial event hosted by the Berks Military History Museum on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
State Rep. Mark M. Gillen, who also serves as museum president, encouraged reflection on the events of 80 years ago.
Gillen spoke about Doris (Dorey) Miller, who was stationed onboard the USS West Virginia. He was doing laundry onboard the ship at the time of the attack and quickly ended up manning a .50 caliber machine gun, that he was never trained on.
Miller become the first African American awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions that day. He was later killed in action in 1943.
“Pearl Harbor Day unites all Americans regardless of background,” said Gillen. “December 7th is one of those days on the calendar when our citizens rally under the umbrella of freedom and patriotism.”
Gillen said that the world we live in today is still a dangerous place and that reminders of the Pearl Harbor attack should serve to keep us vigilant.
There were dozens of brothers that were serving on the ill-fated USS Arizona on that day at Pearl Harbor. Most of them were killed and remain forever entombed in the sunken ship, said Gillen.