Neighbor News
Greenwich Gathers at WW2 Monument, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 to Remember Pearl Harbor Attack 84 Years Ago
On Sunday December 7, 2025, neighbors + veterans gathered at the WW2 / Korean War/ Monument, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 to Remember Pearl Harbor.
Greenwich Police Chief Heavey, a veteran and vice commander of American Legion Post 29, opened the ceremony, speaking about the veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice on Dec. 7, 1941 on the USS Arizona. Chief Heavey permitted me to videotape his speech, and gave me a copy, which aired on WGCH on Monday and throughout this week. Tuesday's weekly broadcast Happy + Healthy at AnyAge with Robin Pastore described the gathering, interviewing a veteran of the US Air Force on why it's important to remember wars and sacrifice. Chief Heavey said: “Today we honor those Americans who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor – and that we never forget the courage and sacrifice of that greatest generation and how they answered the call for service to defend our freedoms.
But it should also be recalled as a day of bravery,” describing the 15 Medals of Honor were awarded to sailors, 51 Navy Crosses were awarded for valor and 53 Silver Star Medals.
“It’s a tall order for us to think about what they had to do and were facing after eight battleships were severely damaged, 180 aircraft were destroyed, and 2,403 soldiers and sailors were killed that day.”
Heavey said, adding that "today only 84 survivors are still alive – and they are all over 100 years old. Sadly this year, none of the survivors, with their first hand accounting of the battle, were able to return to Pearl Harbor as they have in the past." My grandfather fought in the Korean War; my uncles John and Peter in Viet Nam. Uncle Peter came home particularly changed. The jungles of Viet Nam and what he saw were in his veins; not a moment past he wasn't in those jungles, in his own mind. "I went into war in WW2 believing in God. I came home not believing in God," a neighbor, one of many who shared their veterans' stories, confided on 12/7/25 at the gathering.
As part of the ceremony wreaths were placed at the memorial. - robinpastore@gmail.com for WGCH: the Voice of Fairfield + Westchester counties since 1964.
