WILKES-BARRE — Several years ago, I attended a service at the Daddow-Isaacs Dallas American Legion Post 672.
A bugler played “To the Colors” as the American flag was raised that Thursday morning at the start of the Pearl Harbor commemorative ceremony.
Once the flag was hoisted to the top of the flagpole, it was then lowered to half-staff in honor of all those who have died in service to our country — especially those who died Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
My friend, Clarence Michael, an Army veteran, spoke that day.
“As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, ‘This day will live in infamy,’ and we will never forget,” Michael said. “I have visited Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. We have come through the attack on Pearl Harbor, the loss of our battleships and the loss of so many soldiers.”
Michael said many people still wonder why Pearl Harbor happened. He acknowledged that many World War II veterans are gone, but he said it is important to remember them and their stories.
“We must never forget what they died for,” Michael said. “We must celebrate their service to our country — the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Ceremonies like that one at the Dallas American Legion are held every year to remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed — 1,178 more were injured in the attack.
On Aug. 23, 1994, the United States Congress designated Dec. 7, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
And as the years go by, our World War II veterans — the foundation of “the Greatest Generation” — are disappearing right before our eyes.
On Saturday, Dec. 7 — the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor — the importance of remembering our World War II veterans grows more and more significant.
These men and women set an example that must be followed if we are to remain strong. There are so many stories about bravery and courage and country-before-self that the least we can do is stop and pause to remember what each has done for us.
We really can never thank our veterans enough.
And it is imperative that we must never, never, never forget.
This week, we must pause and recall those who died on what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called “this Day of Infamy.”
Pearl Harbor Day is one of the most tragic days in history. So on this 84th anniversary of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, we must take time to remember our heroic dead and also to pause to thank all veterans of all wars for their service to our country — their service to all of us.
It really is the very least we can do.
• The Pearl Harbor attack killed 2,403 service members and wounded 1,178 more, and sank or destroyed six U.S. ships.
• Also destroyed were 169 U.S. Navy and Army Air Corps planes.
• The Japanese losses included 29 aircraft, in addition to five midget submarines, and 129 attackers were killed and one taken prisoner.
A few years ago, Times Leader staff writer Ed Lewis listed the names of Luzerne County soldiers killed that day.
According to reports, listed as killed in the attack were:
Eight local residents were killed during the attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941:
• Brinley Varchol, 25, of Steel Street, Hanover Township, graduated from Hanover Township High School in 1936 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Sept. 3, 1936. Gunner’s Mate Second Class on the USS Arizona, where he was active on the battleship’s sports teams and was a regular player on the baseball team.
• Albert Joseph Konnick, 25, of Auburn Street, Wilkes-Barre, graduate of Coughlin High School, enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Jan. 14, 1936. He was a Carpenter’s Mate Third Class on the USS Arizona.
• Keith Jeffries, 23, of Sharpe Street, Newport Township. He was a graduate of Newport Township High School, enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 12, 1939. Jeffries was a coxswain on the USS Arizona.
• John Peter Rutkowski, 23, of Hanover Street, Nanticoke, left Nanticoke High School in his junior year to work at the General Cigar Company. Enlisted in the U.S. Navy Oct. 16, 1940. He was a Seaman First Class on the USS Arizona.
• John Joseph Petyak, 21, of Anthracite Street, Wilkes-Barre, graduated from GAR High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 1, 1940. He was a Seaman First Class on the USS Arizona.
• John Edward Burns, 25, of Corlear Street, Wilkes-Barre. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 9, 1940, and served as a Fireman First Class on the USS Arizona.
• Edward Slapikas, 26, of Wanamie, attended Newport Township schools. He was a Seaman First Class on the USS Oklahoma. Slapikas’ remains were identified in 2017 and returned home. He was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Wanamie in June 2018.
• Joseph J. Resuskey, 41, of Jenkins Township, served 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He was a Chief Boatswains Mate.
On Sunday, Dec. 7 — and on every day — never forget what our veterans have done for us.