An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News Search

Service members commemorate Pearl Harbor Anniversary

  • Published
  • By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Suits
  • Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) --  On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese naval forces attacked Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii that resulted in the United States' participation in World War II. After the devastating attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt described the day as a "date which will live in infamy."

Sixty-eight years later, many service members and eighteen survivors of the attack gathered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va. at a memorial to honor those who lost their lives on that day.

Survivors of the attack belong to a special group known as the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (PHSA). The Tidewater chapter of the group has been conducting remembrance ceremonies for more than 35 years.

"It was an honor to have been here on such an historic occasion to remember those who lost their lives that day," said Frank Chebetar, president of the Tidewater PHSA chapter and former crew member of the Porter-class destroyer USS Phelps (DD 360). "I was on the quarterdeck in uniform getting ready to go on liberty when the bombs fell. It's because of the attack [on Pearl Harbor] that we hold a memorial service every year to let people know what happened."

During the event, eight bells were rung while PHSA members announced their names and what ships or stations they were assigned to during the attack.

"I had been relieved of duty and I went to go to sleep when I was awakened by the noise," said William H. Muehleib, a former aviation mechanic and private first class in the U.S. Army Air Corps who was assigned to a ground defense battalion at Hickham Field during the attack. "When I woke up, I recognized Japanese symbols on the aircraft and I knew we were under attack."

Muehleib expressed his gratitude about how well Pearl Harbor will be remembered.

"It's very gratifying to know that because of us, people are knowledgeable about what happened that day," said Muehleib. "A few weeks ago, I received numerous e-mails from the press asking me what happened."

One service member in particular, U.S. Coast Guard Fireman Apprentice Jordan Sanderson, volunteered to speak after graduating from basic training, Dec. 4, in Cape May, N.J.

Sanderson talked about how much of an honor it was to pay tribute to survivors of the attack.

"I talked to a couple survivors after the ceremony and they congratulated me on an outstanding job," said Sanderson. "It really meant a lot to them that I was able to give a speech."

Survivors and guests stood as Sailors assigned to the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Honor Guard presented a 21-gun salute to honor the fallen Pearl Harbor Sailors, followed by the playing of Taps and all present joining together in a somber rendition of "God Bless America."

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk, visit  www.navy.mil/local/pacennorfolk/.