COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Members of Colusa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2441 and Maxwell American Legion Post No. 218 gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Colusa on Dec. 7 to remember the attack that catapulted
the U.S. into World War II.
While it has been more than eight decades since Japan’s Imperial Navy launched a surprise airstrike on the U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, killing 2,403 Americans, the bravery of those who
were drawn into immediate battle, and the sacrifice of the thousands of brave military men and women whose service shaped the world as it exists today, were not forgotten.
“The attack on Pearl Harbor remains etched in our collective memory as a pivotal moment in history; one that tested our resiliency and unity,” VFW Post 2441 Commander Angela Sharp.
Tuesday’s ceremony in Colusa was held at 7:55 am, the Pacific Time hour that the bombs began falling 82 years ago. At the same time, a ceremony was held in Hawaii, with five of the six remaining survivors of the attack in attendance, including the only crew member of the USS Arizona still living, 102-year-old Lou Conter, of California.
The Arizona was moored in Pearl Harbor’s “Battleship Row” on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when it was hit by several bombs, resulting in a massive explosion that caused the ship to sink, taking more than 1,100 of her crewmen with her.
address at Veterans Memorial Park on the 82nd anniversary of the attack that catapulted the U.S. into World War II.
In a proclamation, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Dec. 7 said Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on the meaning of sacrifice and heroism.
The ceremony in Colusa was brief, consisting of a prayer, speech, and a traditional three-shot volley of gunfire. Zach Dennis played “Taps” to honor those who served and died on that fateful day.
“Their courage and sacrifice serve as a beacon of inspiration for us all,” Sharp said. “We remember not only the pain and loss but also the strength and determination that emerged from the ashes. Pearl Harbor serves as an impactful reminder of the cost of freedom and the responsibility that we are commanded to uphold. May the lessons learned from Pearl Harbor guide us in the ultimate right to defend our nation and our people from evil.”
Sharp, who served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm, has been a member of VFW Post No. 2441 for seven years. She is the first female commander in the Post’s 77-year history.
Sharp was installed in June.