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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 2015)
10A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015 Ceremony: Survivors ‘epitomize the strength and resolve of this great country Continued from Page 1A will live in infamy.” The attack killed more than 2,400 Amer- icans, wounded nearly 1,200 more and launched the United States into World War II. The second quote, often at- tributed to Japanese Marshal Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, claims the attack served “to awaken a sleeping giant and ¿ll him with a terrible resolve.” The attack, Gibson said, did in fact stun the United States, not least because of the enormous loss of life and military equip- ment. “When they attacked us, we were that sleeping giant, and we did awaken,” he said. On Dec. 8, 1941, America declared war on Japan; three days after that, Germany de- clared war on America. The country became embroiled in a two-front war. What followed were several years of grue- some combat, the detonation of atomic weapons on two Japanese cities and the death of many more Americans, not to mention millions of peo- ple across the world. Through it all, U.S. military men and women showed resolve. To Gibson, Pearl Harbor Remem- brance Day is “a shout out to all those heroes.” “For those lost, we can’t re- place them,” Gibson said. “But for those survivors, you epito- mize the strength and resolve of this great country.” Also during the ceremony, Clatsop County Veterans Ser- vices Of¿cer Luke Thomas, Joshua Bessex/The Daily Astorian Bill Thomas, a Pearl Harbor survivor aboard the USS Medu- sa, salutes as Boy Scout Troop 642 lowers the flag to half- staff during the Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance cere- mony at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center Monday. Thomas, a Seaside resident, was 20 at the time of the attack. Joshua Bessex/The Daily Astorian Spurgeon Keeth Sr., a Pearl Harbor survivor, listens to guest speaker retired U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Gibson, during the Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance ceremony. the master of ceremonies, read a proclamation on behalf of the city of Seaside, declaring Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. “Those heroes hold a cher- ished place in our history through their courage, sacri- ¿ce and selÀess dedication,” the proclamation stated. “They saved our country and pre- served freedom.” Ali Vander Zanden read a letter from U.S. Rep. Su- zanne Bonamici, who could not be present. In the letter, Bonamici said the country owes “profound gratitude” to service members, like Thomas and Keeth, “who survived the Pearl Harbor attack and served with bravery and distinction to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to freedom here and abroad.” “The veterans I’ve met tell me how their service al- tered their perspectives on life and marked their character,” Bonamici wrote. “I am hum- bled and inspired by their sto- ries.” Bringing the community together Undeterred by the driz- zling rain, the crowd then moved outside the convention center to watch as local Boy Scout Troop No. 642 low- ered the Àag to half-staff. A color guard from the Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center posted colors to the bridge that spans the Neca- nicum River, where Thomas lay a ceremonial wreath as the U.S. Coast Guard Àew over- head. Nearby, Gibson played “Taps.” Seaside resident Trish Vow- els, who attended the ceremo- ny, said patriotism runs deep in her family. Several of her relatives are veterans, includ- ing her father, who served in World War II. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, she said, is an event that “brings us all together for a really great cause and helps us remember who we are.” Her great niece, Kayla, sang “The Star-Spangled Ban- ner” and “God Bless America” at the ceremony. The 14-year- old also performed at last year’s ceremony, and she said she loves it. “It feels nice to honor those who fought for our country,” she said. “Tons of people died for our country, and I think it’s important to remember who did.” Additionally, she said, par- ticipating in this type of event helps people, herself included, learn about the history being commemorated. “It makes me more edu- cated on what America went through,” she said. Nolan Milliren, a member of troop No. 642 and a high school junior, said participat- ing in the ceremony the past three years and meeting veter- ans, like Thomas, heavily in- Àuenced his viewpoint on “the importance of remembering” those who served the country. “It’s an amazing experi- ence you can’t have anywhere else,” he said. Stan Gandy, scoutmaster for troop No. 642, said the troop normally could not at- tend the ceremony, but the Seaside School District had an in-service day Monday, which allowed most of his Scouts to participate. Some said they wished more people would attend the event. Vowels and Milliren said it would be a great ¿eld trip for local history teachers to provide for their students. Milliren said he hopes to ¿ll the big auditorium at the con- vention center. “That’s the recognition this day should get,” he said. “That’s how high it should be held.” Though history may fade, he added, “thing like this shouldn’t.” Award: Students pick the criteria by which they will judge books Continued from Page 1A depth of great literature in Ore- gon, Schmelzenbach said. “The class encourages stu- dents to see there is a lot out there, and all of it is valuable,” she said. Each year, students in the class pick the criteria by which they will judge books written by authors who have spent a substantial amount of time in Oregon and who are still living. The students this year picked four criteria: compelling plot, impact, depth of character and depth of theme. The students said Lindsey’s book “Comin’ in Over the Rock” excelled in these categories. The students each selected a book to read and then present- ed it to the class. Once the ¿- nalists are chosen, the students read each of the books and pick a winner. Past recipients of the literary award include Craig Lesley, author of “The Sky Fisherman,” Cheryl Strayed, author of “Tiny Beautiful Things,” and Brian Doyle, au- thor of “Mink River.” Lindsey, who moved with his family to Cannon Beach in 1954, is a folklorist, who par- ticularly enjoys the tradition of oral storytelling and pass- ing on stories through the gen- erations by word of mouth. At the ceremony, he shared sev- eral stories that capture his memories as both a student and teacher at Seaside High School. “Seaside High has nev- er been large in numbers but always has been very large in spirit and soul,” Lindsey said. Addressing students, he added, “You should indeed be proud of your school and yourselves and those who pre- ceded you.” HEALTH N OTIFIC ATIO N Are Y o u Ha rd o f Hea rin g ? 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