VETERANS TO RECALL DAY OF INFAMY; VALLEY PARK TO MARK 57TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEARL HARBOR.Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer Retired Air Force Maj. John Limpus seemed destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. to make a career of the military, given that he was born three years to the day after the Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack Pearl Harbor attack (Dec. 7, 1941) Surprise aerial attack by the Japanese on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu island, Hawaii, that precipitated U.S. entry into World War II. In the decade preceding the attack, U.S. that sparked America's entry into World War II. As more survivors of World War II die each year, Limpus and other younger veterans increasingly are left to translate the sacrifices of war for new generations. Limpus will mark the Peal Harbor attack 57 years ago today as the guest speaker during a veterans memorial program at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park. The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at Polytechnic High School said his message is one of respect for the unsung soldiers who have defended American interests through so many bloody battles, including the infamous one at the Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor, land-locked harbor, on the southern coast of Oahu island, Hawaii, W of Honolulu; one of the largest and best natural harbors in the E Pacific Ocean. In the vicinity are many U.S. military installations, including the chief U.S. naval base A naval base primarily for support of the forces afloat, contiguous to a port or anchorage, consisting of activities or facilities for which the Navy has operating responsibilities, together with interior lines of communications and the minimum surrounding area necessary for local in Hawaii. ``Mankind historically has built memorials to honor heroes . . . and over the generations they've become larger than life larg·er than life adj. Very impressive or imposing: "This is a person of surpassing integrity; a man of the utmost sincerity; somewhat larger than life" Joyce Carol Oates. ,'' Limpus said. ``In the U.S., it's the citizen soldier,'' he said. ``What's notable about the citizen soldier concept is that it bespeaks a responsibility of a citizen to provide some sort of national service or some military service toward the ideals of what this country was founded on.'' Pearl Harbor survivors are an endangered breed. One barometer of that trend is the quarterly national newsletter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, founded in 1958 and recognized by the United States Congress in 1985,[1] is an organization whose members were at or in the vicinity of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during the Japanese attack of December 7, 1941. . ``We used to have three to four pages of new members. Now there are three to four pages of deceased,'' said Bill Aupperlee, a North Hollywood veteran and former president of the national association. ``We first noticed that about five or six years ago. Now it's really picking up.'' As torpedoes and bombs ripped through the Pacific Fleet nestled in Pearl Harbor, Bill Aupperlee and his twin brother, Jack, headed out to sea on the destroyer USS USS abbr. 1. United States Senate 2. United States ship USS abbr (= United States Ship) → Namensteil von Schiffen der Kriegsmarine Ralph Talbot. Some will turn up for today's event who can't attend the survivors association's national convention in Las Vegas, which began Sunday and runs through Tuesday. The annual program in Van Nuys began on this date three years ago when American Legion American Legion, national association of male and female war veterans, founded (1919) in Paris. Membership is open to veterans of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Post No. 193 of Van Nuys dedicated the Veterans Memorial to the servicemen and servicewomen from the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . It is not just for Pearl Harbor veterans but for all veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States A term used to denote collectively all components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. See also United States Armed Forces. from World War I through the Persian Gulf War Persian Gulf War or Gulf War (1990–91) International conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. Though justified by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on grounds that Kuwait was historically part of Iraq, the invasion was presumed to be . Yet remembering Pearl Harbor is a telling way to keep alive the memory of all veterans, said Robert Myers, the American Legion member who organized today's event. ``This is when it all started for everybody. It changed history,'' Myers said. ``And the memorial is for all who served and those who lost their lives who are in graves all over the world.'' Myers was 22 and a husband and father when the Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor. The attack prompted him to enlist and after some lobbying he managed to get into the Navy and an assignment on a troop and cargo ship in spring 1942. Myers also served on a fuel and oil tanker during the war. The 78-year-old from Northridge said fighting for his country was the right thing to do for freedom across the world. ``We were diddling and daddling over whether to declare war in Europe . . . and this finally pushed the button to get us into World War II,'' he said. ``No war's a good thing, but it had to happen.'' The survivors association was formed in 1958 under the motto ``Remember Pearl Harbor, Keep America Alert.'' A sons-and-daughter affiliate was established two years ago to sustain the group's efforts. Speaking to the youth of America is a primary goal. Aupperlee and several other members of the San Fernando Valley chapter share their experiences with school groups and other assemblies. ``One of the greatest thrills I ever got was placing a wreath on the unknown soldier's tomb and answering questions from little kids afterward,'' Aupperlee recalled. ``They all want to know about Pearl Harbor, how it happened, where were you when it went off, how did you get out.'' Third Veterans Memorial Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park, 14201 Huston St., Van Nuys. Program will begin at 10 a.m. Guest Speaker: Maj. John Limpus, U.S. Air Force retired Host: American Legion Post No. 193, Van Nuys. CAPTION(S): photo, box PHOTO The USS Missouri, site of the Japanese surrender, looms over the USS Arizona Memorial USS Arizona Memorial: see National Parks and Monuments (table). in Pearl Harbor in this June 22 file photo. Eric Gay/Associated Press Box: Third Veterans Memorial (see text) |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion