Survivors of Pearl Harbor were honored this morning in a ceremony at the state Capitol in recognition of the 65th anniversary of the Japanese attack.
A row of veterans held their hands to their hearts as “Taps” rang through the building. The attack killed 2,390 Americans, injured 1,178 and forced America into World War II.
“They were heroes, the rest of us were lucky,” said Al Adams of Denver, who was a 19-year-old impoverished Arkansas farm boy who joined the Navy in February, 1941.
Adams had just finished breakfast that Sunday morning and made his way above deck on the submarine tender USS Pelias, when Japanese dive bombers appeared like gnats on the northern horizon at 7:55 a.m.
“We didn’t know what to think,” he said of the men above deck. “It was a complete surprise.”
Civics teacher Jennifer Heider has brought her students from Lakewood’s O’Connell Middle School to the remembrance each year.
Rick Helburg, 13, addressed the crowd before the students put their handmade medals on each of the seven Pearl Harbor survivors.
“It’s really an honor to meet you guys,” Helburg told the veterans. “And we appreciate what you’ve done for us.”
Helburg returned to his seat, just as the 100 people assembled rose for the playing of “Taps.”
