OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR– It has been 80 years since the day more than 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“December 7, 1941, will forever be remembered, and we will never forget what happened that day,” said Cedric L. Jessup, Executive Director of Strategy Wing 1.
An overcast ceremony on Tuesday morning.
Members of the Fleet Reserve Association (Fra) USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Branch 268, along with a formation of sailors from the 1st strategic command wing and members of other military organizations, gathered near the Oklahoma State Capitol for a Pearl Harbor Day ceremony at the USS Oklahoma Memorial.
“We did this ceremony here in memory of all of our shipmates who lost their lives on December 7, 1941 aboard the USS Oklahoma, for which our chapter is named. . We are the USS Oklahoma BB-37,” said Jessie Whitney, 268 Fleet Reserve Association Branch Commander.
The funeral ceremony will take place at exactly 8 a.m., Tuesday, December 7.
“0800 was the time when we were invaded, so we felt we should keep that time,” Whitney said.
It included a wreath-laying ceremony, a “hit two bells” ceremony and a salute by honor guards of the Del City American Legion Post 73, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives 80 years ago.
“Pearl Harbor was a defining moment in American history and truly transformed our military into what it is today,” said Jessup.
It was December 7, 1941, when hundreds of Japanese bombers attacked the Pearl Harbor naval shipyard.
Twenty-one ships of the Pacific fleet were sunk or damaged.
Among the ships, was the USS Arizona, which lost more than 1,100 crew.
In addition, the USS Oklahoma lost 429 crew.
More than 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack and more than 1,000 others were injured.
The offensive dragged the United States into World War Two until it ended in 1945.
“You have to know your history so you don’t repeat it, and that’s an important part,” says Jessup. “Remember and never forget what happened so we’re always on the lookout.”
Veterans and the public are invited to attend the ceremony.
https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-veterans-gather-for-pearl-harbor-remembrance-ceremony-tuesday-morning/ Oklahoma veterans gather for the Pearl Harbor memorial service Tuesday morning
