The city of Mission on Thursday is hosting its annual remembrance ceremony of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
As in years past, the remembrance ceremony features a recognition of veterans and a special guest to shed insight on the attack, which occurred on Dec. 7, 1941, said Penn Almoney, the city of Mission’s parks and recreation director.
“There are 56 service members (in the region) who survived Pearl Harbor, and that’s pretty significant for this region and this community,” Almoney said. “So at the heart of why we’re doing this is to recognize their sacrifice and never forget it.”
Mission’s Pearl Harbor ceremony dates back to 2004
- The late Dorwin Lamkin, a Mission resident and Pearl Harbor survivor, was looking for a way to honor survivors like himself.
- In 2004, the city dedicated the Pearl Harbor Memorial Park at 5925 Maple St., with the names of veterans on marble benches.
- The memorial park in Mission — which Almoney said is the only one he knows of in the continental U.S. — also features an anchor from the USS Arizona on permanent loan from the U.S. Navy.
- “It’s not very often you find a small town community that’s got such a robust history and impact in an area like this,” Almoney said. “It’s pretty wonderful to be part of.”
What to expect at the event
- The program schedule includes a moment of silence, eight bells, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and a wreath placement.
- Mayor Sollie Flora will also recognize veterans and service members.
- Former mayor Ron Appletoft will talk about the history of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Park.
- D.M. Giangreco, author of “Hell to Pay: Operation DOWNFALL and the Invasion of Japan, 1945-47” and of “Truman and The Bomb,” is also making an appearance.
The event is at Powell Community Center at 11:30 a.m.
- Almoney said there is a 20-minute presentation and video highlighting Lamkin and others that begins at 11:30 a.m.
- Mission will start the remembrance part of the ceremony right at 11:53 a.m., according to the event flyer.
- The open-to-the-public ceremony typically lasts about 25 to 30 minutes, Almoney said.
Go deeper: Pearl Harbor survivors tell their stories to appreciative crowd in Mission
