Pearl Harbor attack remembered with USS Arizona dedication

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A piece of Pearl Harbor history will remain in Indian River County long after the ceremonies and remembrances of the Japanese attack 70 years ago. An artifact recovered from the USS Arizona, sunk in the attack, will be displayed at the American Legion in Sebastian.

The item was dedicated during the Pearl Harbor Day memorial at Sebastian’s Riverview Park Wednesday, which a few hundred residents attended.

“We always come out to the ceremonies,” said Joan Kemp, noting it’s a way for her to give back to the men and women who have served the country.

“We owe them a lot,” agreed Raymond Kemp.

Pearl Harbor survivor Eugene Guevremont, with American Legion First Vice Commander Fred Luhrs and American Legion member Barney Giordan, unveiled the artifact to the crowd amidst applause.

“I feel honored to be here,” Guevremont said, adding he was happy with the turnout for the event. “I appreciate the people being here.”

He said he was “flabbergasted” when he approached to help dedicate the piece of the USS Arizona. Guevremont had been stationed with its sister ship, the USS Pennsylvania, at the time of the attack.

“That’s history,” he said of the memorial. “We’ve got to remember to support our military. We can’t let this happen again.”

American Legion member Ed Motyka told the crowd that it was 70 years ago today when the nation, as it is now, was preparing for the holidays when this “dastardly attack by an overzealous” enemy “ruined all those dreams.”

“The world lurched forward into an already battle-scarred future,” Motyka said.

Many of those who were in the service at Pearl Harbor are beginning to pass away, he added.

“They are handing over the mantel of exceptionalism to us,” Motyka said, noting that only time will tell if we are worthy of such a mantel.

 

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