Seventy-seven years ago on this date, Japan carried out a surprise attack on US naval forces at Pearl Harbor, in the Hawaiian Islands. Numerous memorial ceremonies were held throughout Western New York Friday, including one in West Seneca.
American Legion Post 735 hosted their annual memorial ceremony inside the gymnasium of the West Seneca Community Center. Because the ceremony was held indoors, it did not include a traditional 21-gun salute nor was there a lowering of the flag. But Taps was played as a room filled with veterans and families stood silently.
The keynote speaker was Retired Staff Sergeant Margaret Quinn, who is also a member of Post 735. She revealed during her remarks that she had somewhat modified her speech to include recollections by the late George H.W. Bush. The 41st President of the United States, who was a World War II combat pilot inspired to join the military following the attack on Pearl Harbor, was laid to rest this week.
"Every 15 seconds, a drop of oil still rises from the USS Arizona and drifts to the surface," said Quinn, reading Bush's words. "As it spreads across the water, we recall the ancient poet (Aeschylus): 'In our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart. And in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.'"
On December 7, 1941, Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor left more than 2,300 US servicemen dead and more than 1,100 injured. The attack drew the United States into World War II. Quinn noted that about four dozen survivors of the attack were scheduled to appear in Oahu for the local memorial ceremony. Only five crew members of the USS Arizona remain, she added, pointing out they were unable due to advanced age and health complications to make the trip.
She called that heartbreaking. She also recalled what she described as another heartbreak, a conversation with a woman her age during which the latter admitted that had there been a military draft for women, she would likely flee to Canada and encourage others to do the same. Quinn recalled the story as she renewed her pride in joining the military at her own will.
"We serve, we often choose to serve, we volunteer to serve to uphold the freedoms of this country," she said. "I'm very proud of that. To wear a military uniform, please understand it's a deliberate act. I wanted to wear the uniform. I wanted to serve my country."
That comment drew hearty applause from the audience.
