CLOVIS (KMJ) — It was December 7th 1941 when the naval base at Pearl Harbor was subject to a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
That was 74 years ago, and more than 2,400 Americans lost their lives in that attack.
The event, and the damage sustained to the fleet stationed there, brought the United States firmly into World War 2.
“That was such an important part of our history”, says Commander of Clovis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3225 August Flach. “That anybody who has the opportunity to visit with these veterans, these heroes, really needs to take advantage of that now”.
“I encourage anybody that does not really know the history, don’t wait. Get involved now”.
A ceremony was held at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District to mark the anniversary and remember all those who lost their lives.
“December 7th marks a very tragic point in our life”, says CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District Lorenzo Rios. “Because what ensued after that the following day, brought us into the global war we now know as World War II”.
Of the veterans attending, a small number of them had actually served at Pearl Harbor during the attack.
“I don’t think I should remember any of it”, says US Navy Petty Officer Chuck Lishman. “It would be sort of nice if I forgot the whole stinking thing”.
“I hear guys right now, running for President, ‘we got the strongest nation in the world’. That’s exactly what they said at Pearl Harbor. ‘No one’s ever going to bother us’…they blew us out of the water.
“Nobody knew anything”.
KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew was there, and you can hear his report as it aired on KMJ:
