WATERBURY, Conn. — Thursday was Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Veterans across the state honored the more than 2,400 lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
"America was unprepared," said Robert Dorr of the Waterbury Veterans Memorial Committee.
The attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was one of the darkest days of our nation's history. Thousands of service members and civilians lost their lives when the Japanese launched a surprise attack.
Mary Kight, a Gold Star Mother knew that loss all too well. She lost her son, Michael to the Vietnam War in 1967 when he was only 21 years old.
"It was just something that shouldn’t have happened and it didn’t amount to anything except lost heartache," said Kight.
Of those who died, 18 of them were from Connecticut.
Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr. highlighted the lesson brought on by Pearl Harbor.
"The solution is to just put aside our differences, come together as people, have a common goal, focus on what it is that we face, "said Pernerewski.
Those differences are still evident in our country today.
"I think we’re more aware of the dangers. If people could just get along. It just seems such a waste for somebody to just hate so much that they could destroy just like what’s going on right now," added Kight.
After the ceremony, members gathered at the Pearl Harbor Bridge on Freight Street. A small boat was launched into the water followed by Kight who threw a bouquet as a symbol of honoring those lives lost at their graves.
"That you have not sacrificed your life in vain. We, America, today is stronger because of your sacrifice," added Dorr.
Carmen Chau is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at cchau@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and X.
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