Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kim McLendon | Chief Petty Officer Miguel Alderete, Navy Operational Support Center Ventura County,...... read more read more
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OXNARD, Calif. -- Sailors from Navy Operational Support Center Ventura County paid tribute to those lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, along with local veterans in hospice at Shoreline Care Center during a Spirit of ’45 event organized by VITAS Innovative Hospice Care and Shoreline, Dec. 7.
“This visit was especially important to our veterans and our currently serving sailors given the 71st anniversary of this infamous day in history,” said Capt. Ronald Oswald, commanding officer, NOSC Ventura County.
In residence at Shoreline are 40 veterans of World War II, Korea or Vietnam Wars or the years between. Nineteen sailors volunteered their time to demonstrate the high regard they hold for the veterans.
“There are few things more precious than our time, and our sailors seek to show their respect and appreciation to our local veterans by giving their time and ‘listening ear,’” said Oswald.
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Terry Delacruz, NOSC Ventura County, asked those in his command to take time to remember this historical and somber day in American history.
“On this day 2,335 service members and 68 civilians were killed in the one hour and 50 minute attack on our Pacific Fleet 71 years ago,” said Delacruz.
Colors were presented by the Ventura County color guard.
"Presenting the colors to these heroes is going to be one of my greatest memories that I will share with friends and family for many years to come,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class William Gibson, NOSC Ventura County. “It was truly an honor to spend time with them and listen to their incredible stories."
A static display of WWII memorabilia from Touching History, a touring military museum, and a POW/MIA presentation table set by the NOSC provided a historical and solemn atmosphere.
Chief Petty Officer Howard Nelson Jr., NOSC Ventura County, read the ceremonial table’s narration that honors prisoners of war and those missing in action.
“I wonder where this world would be without the strength, determination and lives that they so freely gave so we can have all we have today,” said Nelson. “May God bless our heroes and long may we remember them.”
“It’s wonderful to have the younger military spend time with our residents,” said Shoreline Activities Director Joan Ponce. “They can relate to each other and share experiences.”
“There is a very unique bond between those who have taken the oath of military service, regardless of their generation or age,” said Oswald. “There is a quiet sense of kinship and understanding of commonly shared sacrifices and challenges endured and overcome.”
“It meant so much to them and made them feel so important to have the sailors there to help them honor and remember December 7th, 1941,” said Master of Ceremonies Lyndsey Hale.
Hale, wife of Lt. Rondal Hale, instructor for Naval Civil Engineer Corps Officers School in Port Hueneme, said Dec. 7 was her grandfather's birthday, and he joined the Army two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. “Although he is gone now, I think of him and our many WWII veterans every December 7th and how that moment was such a tragic call to action,” she said.
For more information on the Spirit of '45 movement, visit www.spiritof45.org.
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2012 18:18 |
| Story ID: | 99376 |
| Location: | OXNARD, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Dec. 7 remembered by Ventura County sailors and veterans, by PO1 Kim McLendon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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