New Hope-Solebury Musicians Perform In Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade

NEW HOPE, PA — New Hope-Solebury music students traveled to Hawaii to perform in the ceremony marking 80 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Approximately 90 local choral and instrumental music students were part of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on Dec. 7, giving a tribute concert alongside the U.S.S Missouri and also visiting the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.

"[W]atching the way the students sang their patriotic songs was really quite impressive," New Hope-Solebury choral director Tom Bateman said. "Songs that have intrinsic meaning to them make them sing out.”

During an emotional morning presentation, the students had the opportunity to hear the stories of World War II veterans, most in their late-90s, who journeyed to Pearl Harbor in remembrance of the "day that lives in infamy."

One spoke of being in the hangar next to where the first bomb was dropped, New Hope-Solebury recounted in a news release. One spoke of watching his shipmates covered in oil and fire jumping off the ship and never making it to safety. One reflected on the damage that could have been inflicted had Japanese forces bombed nearby fuel reserves and dry docks or had they attacked on a day other than Sunday, when most servicemen were on-shore or on-leave.

"It was different to hear the stories directly from the veterans’ mouths, and the students were completely engaged meeting them," music teacher David Bachart said.

Another veteran shared that he lied about his age and enlisted to serve at the age of only 16.

"They were almost in disbelief that could have happened," Bateman said.

After performing a tribute concert alongside the U.S.S. Missouri, the students walked through the ships' cabins and on the deck.

“I was imagining thousands of people on board, boats sinking, and so many people lost at sea," student Amy Chen reflected. "While I was performing, I could feel their spirits. ... We weren’t there for fun and nice weather. We were there for the people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.”

According to a news release, one veteran in the group responds the same way every time he's thanked for his service: "you were worth it."

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