Remembering Pearl Harbor at Battleship Park

Dozens of people gathered at Battleship Park to honor those who died and survived the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Five local men still remember the attack like it was yesterday.

Harold Garrish recalls the sound of the gunfire, and thought it was just live practice. “I ran out and I saw the crew of the Arizona running around. At that moment a plane came over and dipped right over my head and I could see those big red circles and I said they’re Japanese and at that moment the entire Arizona burst into flames,” he said. “I said she’s going to blow and I ducked behind a large tree and up she went. It was a terrific explosion and still I don’t remember hearing a sound.”

Stories like Garrish’s were told during the ceremony that took place, December 7th at 1:25 p.m., the actual time in Wilmington when the attack occurred.

Mayor Bill Saffo showed his appreciation along with Congressman Mike McIntyre. “Thank you veterans, thank you men and women who serve us today in uniform in all branches of our military,” said McIntyre.

Service members were honored by laying a wreath by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Memorial, a show of appreciation greatly deserved.

More than 2,300 Americans died in the attack on Pearl Harbor, including almost 1,200 aboard the USS Arizona.

Many of those sailors are still entombed in the wreckage of the ship, as are some survivors who chose to be buried with their fallen comrades.