74th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
Thousands of people lost their lives 74 years ago today when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, launching America into the Second World War. News 25’s Katarina Luketich caught up with a local veteran after this morning’s remembrance ceremony at the Armed Forces Retirement Home as he paints a vivid picture of that somber day.
Marvin Westcott was returning from a secret mission back to Pearl Harbor, just 200 miles from the naval station when his crew received the shocking message. “The commodore read the message aloud: ‘Air attack, Pearl Harbor, this is no drill.’” His crew in disbelief, Westcott says it wasn’t until the next day that the reality of the attack sunk in. “Then we saw the disaster, bodies floating in the water, oil, and fire all over the place, our lifesavers for the nation, battleships completely gone.”
From there it was war. The air strikes killing more than 2,000 Americans would be the catalyst that launched the United States into the Second World War. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.” A promise backed by those who witnessed the destruction first hand. “Destroy our Navy and get away with it? We’re gonna get these guys and we did,” said Westcott.
Each year on December 7th, we remember this story, the lives lost in the tragic attacks on Pearl Harbor. Years later, WWII vets Harold McDaniel and Marvin Westcott lay down a wreath at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, honoring the sacrifice made by those brave men and women who fought to the end. “Almost made me cry for the first time in a long time,” said Westcott.
It is an emotional memory for those who have December 7, 1941 etched in their minds forever, the day of infamy.
Marvin Westcott was returning from a secret mission back to Pearl Harbor, just 200 miles from the naval station when his crew received the shocking message. “The commodore read the message aloud: ‘Air attack, Pearl Harbor, this is no drill.’” His crew in disbelief, Westcott says it wasn’t until the next day that the reality of the attack sunk in. “Then we saw the disaster, bodies floating in the water, oil, and fire all over the place, our lifesavers for the nation, battleships completely gone.”
From there it was war. The air strikes killing more than 2,000 Americans would be the catalyst that launched the United States into the Second World War. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.” A promise backed by those who witnessed the destruction first hand. “Destroy our Navy and get away with it? We’re gonna get these guys and we did,” said Westcott.
Each year on December 7th, we remember this story, the lives lost in the tragic attacks on Pearl Harbor. Years later, WWII vets Harold McDaniel and Marvin Westcott lay down a wreath at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, honoring the sacrifice made by those brave men and women who fought to the end. “Almost made me cry for the first time in a long time,” said Westcott.
It is an emotional memory for those who have December 7, 1941 etched in their minds forever, the day of infamy.
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