OAKLAND COUNTY VETERANS GROUP PEARL HARBOR DAY REMEMBERENCE

PONTIAC, Mich., December 7, 2012 --  The Oakland County Veterans Group held a remembrance service this evening on the  71st anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  I was honored to be the guest speaker.

 

Skip Bushard, OCVG president, officiated at the ceremony.

Skip Bushart, president of OCVG, presided at the one hour service, opened by the color guard of young men of the Civil Air Patrol.  Following colors and an opening prayer, Skip provided an excellent overview of the events on December 7. 

My talk reflected my experience at Pearl Harbor in 1995 when I met so many great Pearl Harbor survivors during the commemoration of the end of World War II.  As I was not born until 1947, the world would be a much different place today had it not been for our brave fighting men and the folks back home supporting them in many ways.  I also talked about the role the USS Detroit (CL 8), the light cruiser which was not damaged during the attack, and the new USS Detroit (LCS 7).  The crowd wasn't large, but everyone attending had to be as moved as I was as members of the Daughters of the American Revolution read the names of the 47 sailors and soldiers from Michigan killed during the attack.  A red rose was placed atop a flag-draped coffin by the CAP color guard as each name was read.

OCVG board member Maurice Morton, LtCol, USAF, (left), presided at the flag folding ceremony performed by members of the OCVG Honor Guard, as Skip narrated what each fold stood for.  The Honor Guard earlier during the ceremony had fired a rifle salute outside the Oakland County Commissioner's Auditorium, followed by Maurice playing "Taps" on his bugle.

It was a very special and moving evening.  Thank you, Skip, for inviting me to be your guest speaker.  I was proud to talk to your veterans and meet the wonderful ladies from the D.A.R.  And, thank you for your continued service.