PEARL HARBOR REMEMBERED IN CEREMONY

Pearl Harbor veterans were honored Sunday during a ceremony at Freedom Corner in Capaha Park following a Veterans Day parade.

Dec. 7 marks the 50th anniversary of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

An estimated crowd of 300 people, including many veterans and their families, attended the event Sunday.

Pearl Harbor veterans, both those who died in the fight and those who survived, received a U.S. Pearl Harbor commemorative medal during the ceremony.

John Baskette, the Missouri chairman of the Pearl Harbor Survivors organization, was keynote speaker at the park.

Baskette is a 26-year veteran of the Armed Forces, serving in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

He told the crowd that 49 years and 28 days ago, the Japanese "rained down bombs, death and destruction." As servicemen scrambled to man their posts, over the loudspeakers came the announcement, "Air Raid Pearl Harbor. This is no drill."

"It's impossible to count the number of heroes that day," Baskette said. "In a matter of seconds, men became victims and combat veterans."

The upcoming 50th anniversary of the attack, Baskette said, provides a good opportunity to make sure the story of Pearl Harbor is retold.

He said: "To ensure the present generation and the future generation, they have got to be taught the history of the attack of Pearl Harbor. May Pearl Harbor always be remembered and America always be alert."

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson also addressed the crowd.

"We owe the people who fought, those here today, those who couldn't be with us and those who lost their lives, a special debt of gratitude," Emerson said. "We must not forget the veterans.

"The blessings of freedom and liberty are among our most precious gifts. We must use the gift wisely, and we all have a responsibility to help protect it."

Those receiving Pearl Harbor medals from Southeast Missouri are:

Richard M. Alexander, Hayti; Kenneth K. Anderson, Cape Girardeau; Walter R. Anderson, Lesterville; Melvin D. Bacon, Cape Girardeau; John Bangert, Bonne Terre.

William L. Batson, Campbell; Harry Bauer, Van Buren; Robert W. Blom, New Madrid; Everett L. Botts, Bernie; Luther A. Boyer, Ellsinore; Howard R. Bretz, Jackson;

Walter M. Brickhaus, Perryville; Frederick C. Buenninger, Wappapello; Lillian Clanahan, widow of Cecil Clanahan, Poplar Bluff; Margaret Mayfield, sister of Dale L. Clippard, Cape Girardeau;

Arthur H. Cochran, Poplar Bluff; Keith E. Cragg, Perryville; Joseph S. Dollinger, Jackson; James A. Foeste, Chaffee; Martha Lou Grant, Campbell; Robert A. Green, Perryville;

John C. Gutterman, Poplar Bluff; Douglas V. Hixon, Quilin; William James, Campbell; Egbert H. Harboe, Steele; James P. Joyce, Jackson; James L. McLain, Cape Girardeau;

Joseph O. Miller, Cape Girardeau; Vivert H. Morgan, Fredericktown; Robert F. Parks, Lesterville; Henry F. Pratt, Farmington; Reba V. Provance, widow of Frederick J. Provance, Malden;

Ruby M. Kiefer, sister of Francis E. Sadler, Perryville; Edwin E. Sharp, Piedmont; Paul J. Sherrard, Morehouse; George E. Slavens, Puxico; Alphonse H. Stoverink, Jackson;

Peggy J. Asher, daughter of Herbert W. Surlet, Jackson; Claud Thurston, Sikeston; Leonard H. Webb, Cape Girardeau; Harold A. Willyard, Farmington; Arville E. Yarbo, Poplar Bluff;

Lucille Givens Black, sister of Harold R. Givens, Morehouse; Vernon Hartsoe, brother of Max J. Hartsoe, Cardwell; Winn E. Van Tryfle Jr., Ironton; Vernon Carner, Lilbourn;

Pebble Cauthorn, widow of Kenneth C. Cauthorn, Sikeston; Henry J. Niederkorn, Chaffee; Raymond Parham, Cardwell, and Martin K. Thomas, Ironton.

Not everyone listed attended the ceremony Sunday.