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Pearl Harbor casts long shadow for Marietta residents

James Evans, 68, left, of Lowell, stands at attention alongside members of the Parkersburg-Marietta Marine Corps League during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day service at Muskingum Park Wednesday. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

MARIETTA — Seventy-five years later, on the infamous day when more than 2,300 servicemen lost their lives during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, memorial services took place across the nation and in Marietta Wednesday.

“I was in the first grade when Pearl Harbor was bombed and I have faint memories of my mom and dad trying to explain to me what happened that day,” said Dave Smith, 81, of Marietta. “I have vivid memories of growing up during that war though, with the soldiers barracked at Marietta College and doing PT (physical training) along the city streets.”

Smith spent Wednesday morning with 75 local veterans, their families and other members of the community at Muskingum Park for the annual service to honor Dec. 7, 1941.

“Those soldiers and sailors were heroes,” he explained. “As were the men who went to defend our freedom after that attack. I honor my uncle today, who came home in a flag draped casket from World War II.”

James Evans, 68, of Lowell, was present in honor of his father, who served in the U.S. Navy throughout the war.

Veterans and Marietta High School students have lunch in the armory following the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day service at Muskingum Park Wednesday. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

“My father, John C. Evans, enlisted the very next day, the day that Franklin Roosevelt announced we were going to war on the radio,” Evans explained.

“He was in an escort, moving supplies and weapons to England when his ship was hit from beneath by a submarine. He was one of the few lucky enough to grab a hold of a net cast by a Norwegian freighter passing by and was rescued.”

The attack on Pearl Harbor plunged the United States into the bloodiest war in history, two years after the war had already begun to ravage Europe.

“Pearl Harbor was the rallying point for America,” said Bernie Cleveland, commander of VFW Post 5108 in Marietta. “The country came together and showed the world that we were the most powerful nation on the planet.”

To honor the trigger for U.S. involvement in the war, Cleveland and Smith both dropped wreaths in remembrance of those lost at Pearl Harbor in the Muskingum River. Marietta High School’s Vocal Point student choir also participated in the service, singing the fight songs of each armed service and other patriotic songs.

Dave Smith and Bernie Cleveland pause for a prayer Wednesday before dropping wreaths in the Muskingum River to honor the fallen from the attack on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

“It’s wonderful that this many people came out to recognize and honor the impact of Pearl Harbor on our nation,” said Washington County Veteran Services Officer Tom Kukulka. “I think the choir brings more people out each year and this year we also wanted to provide a hot lunch to thank everyone for coming out.”

The group ate in the hall of the Armory on Front Street after the ceremony, sharing stories and fellowship while protected from the December chill.

“Every year this is a cold and dreary day, this year we decided to have a lunch to allow for the veterans and the choir students to share a meal together as a community,” said Kukulka.

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