Admin l Sunday, December 04, 2016
HONOLULU, Hawaii – December 7, 1941 remains notable in the history of America, being the day that the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Habour, U.S Navy base in Hawai with about 353 fighter planes, bombers and torpedo planes.
All eight U. S battle ships were destroyed, 2, 403 Americans were killed while 1, 178 others were wounded. Alexander Horanzy was one of those lucky survivors in that horrendous attack.
At the weekend, Horanzy, 75, was in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was received by the governor of Hawaii, David Ige.
Horanzy was on an honor flight from Los Angeles that carried 72 Pearl Harbor survivors and other veterans to Hawaii for commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the infamous attack.
Retired Navy Capt. Bob Batterson, one of the 72 flown to Hawaii described the event as one of the greatest day in his life.
“Wonderful. It was wonderful. I still can’t believe it’s happened. It’s incredible,” Batterson said. His wife Hilda added, “I’ve never seen anything like it.” He was simply dumbfounded by the crowd that gathered to pay homage, clapping and shedding tears of joy.
Batterson said he previously visited Hawaii a few years ago and wanted to make one more trip to the island, although he wasn’t initially planning on going this year. But, he said, he just could not turn down the special invitation extended to him for the 75th anniversary commemoration. The deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command, Army Lt. Gen. Anthony Crutchfield, said he has great admiration for the men and women who served.
“What happened here 75 years ago of course changed the nation and the world,” he said. “That’s why I’m here, to pay honor and respect to those who were here then.”
According to him, Americans should pause and think about what happened Dec. 7, 1941, and thank the men and women who served. The veterans laid the groundwork to give me the things that I needed to live in a free country and to become what I wanted to be — a soldier in the Army,” he said.
Governor of Hawaii, David Ige sees the day as a great opportunity to honor the heroes of the attack on Pearl Harbor, stressing that he and the people of Hawaii are honored to take part in the anniversary events and show appreciation to the veterans.
“We are glad that so many of the survivors and veterans will be able to participate in this 75th commemoration,” he said.
For Navy Chief Petty Officer Josh Carmack, it is important to honor these veterans.
“They did a lot of work and made a lot of sacrifices to ensure that we have the freedoms that we have today,” he said. “We have to support the people who made those sacrifices.”
Jeanne Kapela, Miss Hawaii 2015 captured the event as a tear-jerker moment.
“To look in the eyes of someone who survived being at Pearl Harbor and knowing that they’re coming back here now as a survivor years later was the most incredible moment probably in my life,” she said.
