Survivors Remember Pearl Harbor Attack in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- The Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg hosted a solemn ceremony at capitol of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Dec. 7 at 12:55 pm, to honor eight survivors who were present 68 years ago when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

The ceremony drew about 150 people including survivors' families, Sailors and service members from all surrounding military installations, the general public, and local community leaders.

The unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor lasted less than two hours, but by the time it was over 2,400 Americans were dead, 1,200 were wounded, 21 ships were sunk, beached or damaged, and 323 aircraft were destroyed or damaged.

This year's keynote speaker was Rear Adm. Raymond E. Berube, Commander, Naval Inventory Control Point. Berube reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to carry forward the lessons of that day.

"We will not let our country forget how its people, galvanized as never before, rallied to the cry, 'Remember Pearl Harbor!'" he said.

More than 925,000 sons and daughters of the Keystone State responded in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor; more than 26,000 made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.

"We are in your debt – and in the debt of all World War II American veterans – for the freedoms we enjoy today. Your legacy grows stronger with each passing year and with each generation you inspire," Berube told the survivors.

During the program letters from the commanding officers of USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735), which were addressed to Pa. Survivors, were read to the audience.

"It's an honor to serve in a warship with such a distinct namesake. The crew and I strive daily to honor the patriotism, courage, and sacrifice of all Pearl Harbor survivors and their family members. On this annual remembrance, your ship salutes you and reaffirms our commitment to carry on your legacy of service to our country," wrote Cmdr. Dave Guluzian, Pearl Harbor's commanding officer.

"I would like to express my personal gratitude for your dedicated service, uncommon valor and selfless heroism during one of our country's most dark and trying times," said Cmdr. T. H. Schroeder, commanding officer of Pennsylvania.

"Your service, and that of thousands of other Pennsylvanians during the attack on Pearl Harbor and in the long hard days following, saw the country through those dark hours and secured the legacy that we aboard USS Pennsylvania now enjoy. We humbly carry the mantle of service that your generation fought so diligently to protect."

Survivor Victor Peterson, Kane, Pa., who attended the event, was with the 44th Pursuit Squadron home based at Wheeler Field on the island of Oahu, north of Pearl Harbor. At the time of the attack he was at a small field at the east end of Oahu on Billows field on maneuvers.

Peterson was a ground "gunny" for airplanes, and he lost his good friend George Whiteman that day, which heightens the significance of the ceremony. "We did the best we could under the circumstances. I didn't even have a gun," Peterson said.

Survivor Ned Shanaman, from Lebanon, Pa., said, "It's a day you'll never forget. I'm glad that the Navy helps us to recognize and remember it."

After the attack on Pearl Harbor plans were hastened to establish the Naval Supply Depot Mechanicsburg. During the month of February 1943, the Naval Supply Depot Mechanicsburg, processed eleven hundred inbound rail cars and seventy outbound fulfilling their motto: "We Can Take It and We Can Dish It Out."

The task of keeping the wartime fleet in repair parts was enormous, and by the end of the war, in September 1945, there were 9,800 persons aboard, both civilian and military. Purchasing Division's contracts and orders totaled three million dollars a week.

For more news from Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsamech/.