“It is such an important day to remember,” New Richmond Mayor Ramona Carr said. “We need to make sure our children remember this day, our grandchildren and their children.”
Joe Whitt, a Pearl Harbor survivor, was recognized at the event and shared several stories with audience members about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“That was such a turning point in life,” Whitt said. “I’d never seen a man die in my life. On this day I saw a lot of them dead and a lot of them dying.”
More than 2,400 Americans were killed at Pearl Harbor after the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the United States in the early morning hours Dec. 7 1941.
Whitt described the Japanese planes flying low over the ships. He recalled watching the events unfold aboard the USS San Francisco and described the panic of men trying to get out of the water, all of them covered in oil.
“I didn’t run and hide,” Whitt said. “I am a country boy, I used to shoot quail.”
Whitt said he remembered shooting at the planes and watching one of the Japanese pilots look out of the plane with a smirk on his face.
Whitt served in the Navy for the remainder of World War II. He said today, he is one of the only Pearl Harbor survivors left in the Cincinnati area.
“We are very fortunate to have veterans like Joe,” Sheriff Tim Rodenberg said during the ceremony.
Sheriff Rodenberg, the guest speaker, highlighted some of the facts about the attack on Pearl Harbor and presented Whitt with a challenge coin to thank him for his service.
Guests enjoyed music from several performers at the ceremony. Both John Hale and Stephanie Williford sang patriotic songs and Elise Bezold, a sixth grader from Monroe Elementary, played the violin.
Several other officials spoke about Pearl Harbor as well, including Congresswoman Jean Schmidt and Commissioners Bob Proud and Ed Humphrey.
“War is never easy,” Congresswoman Jean Schmidt said. “We must never forget the valor of the men and women before us or those who will go after us.”
Commissioner declared Dec. 4-10 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Week in Clermont County at their Dec. 1 regular session.