Remember Pearl Harbor Day

Danbury honored Pearl Harbor Day on Sunday with a solemn ceremony at the Danbury War Memorial, a building that honors the city's and nation's veterans.

Frank Johnson, commandant of the Marine Corps League, Hat City detachment, delivered the benediction, saying the day serves to remember those people who served so well, and honorably. He asked the Lord to remember them.

"May we be worthy to be reunited with them, and with you, forever," Johnson asked.

(This article originally ran on Monday, Dec. 6, but Tuesday is the 69th anniversary of Dec. 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy. The article is worth re-reading.)

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said Pearl Harbor helped focus the country on its national defense, and he drew a parallel between the days following Dec. 7, 1941, and the days and years following Sept. 11, 2001.

"It's been nine years, and our national mission seems less clear than it did," Boughton said. He said the national mission was very clear a few months go when he was in the Atlanta airport, and an announcement was made that a group of soldiers was in the airport returning from Iraq.

"Every person in that airport stood up and cheered," Boughton said.

Patrick Waldron, director of veteran's affairs in Danbury, said the attack on Pearl Harbor, as devastating as it was, didn't defeat the country. He said it focused the country on the task ahead.

He said the Pearl Harbor attack led the nation into war, and that led to victory and that led to the Atomic Age. He said today, everyone who serves in uniform is a volunteer.

"We must remember the sacrifices of those who met the threat and defeated it," Waldron said.

The keynote address was made by Sgt. FC David McFate, who serves in Danbury with the 411 Civil Affairs Battalion in Danbury.

McFate said that in the 30 years that the battalion called Danbury home, its members have served in Panama, Iran, Kuwait, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and in the Horn of Africa.

"They bring hope to the people of Iran and Afghanistan," McFate said. He said many people who serve in the 411 Civil Affairs Battalion have been wounded in action. He asked people gathered for the memorial to support the troops in any way they can, including a hello and a handshake. He said the USO is a worthy organization and he said people can also donate blood to the military.