Eastern Connecticut residents reflect on meaning of Pearl Harbor attack

Seventy years ago on Wednesday, the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base, an attack that led to the United States entering World War II. The dawn attack claimed the lives of more than 2,300 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians. Twelve ships were sunk or beached, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed or damaged.

With the number of Pearl Harbor — and other World War II — veterans dwindling each year, we asked residents and local veterans why it’s so important not to forget that “date which will live in infamy.”

‘It’s important for young people to remember the veterans that died. This was a time in our history that should never be forgotten.’

Richard Montimy, Montville

‘I was there pretty close after it. I go to St. Joseph’s School in Baltic, and all those young kids want to hear the story, so I tell it.’

Phil Worski, Norwich, U.S. Navy veteran who enlisted in 1942

‘I’m surprised now that on Dec. 7, you don’t hear anything about it. We were sitting in my father’s quarters. We heard the news that they had bombed us. We were very surprised.’

Helen Thomes, Montville

‘My brother was hurt during the war, but not at Pearl Harbor. The families of the dead and the lost — they never lose their grief. It’s important everyone remembers it. People that lose something in a war, it’s just terrible. I lived in a Navy town, and we really felt it.’

Peggy Ryan, Montville

‘My ship was in Pearl Harbor without me. It left unscratched. The guys in Pearl Harbor, they’re the ones that had it rough.’

John Buzenski, Norwich

‘Imagine if you were in the Navy or Air Corps. It would be a big burden. You’ll remember this for the rest of your life. We all need to remember for the future, so it won’t happen again. They should all be remembered. I know there’s been a lot of wars since then, but World War II was the most devastating, I think. People were sending their sons off to war — it was just a bad time. There’s not too many left that were in World War II.’

Paul Schwell, Montville, served overseas in the U.S. Army from 1942-47

‘I was a teenager when it happened. It was a shock to everyone; a big event in the country’s history, just like when we were attacked on Sept. 11. They should talk about it more in the schools.’

Irv Plotkin, Colchester

‘I was born in August 1941, so I was just a baby during Pearl Harbor, but we all remember it and grew up with it. I don’t think kids today know much about World War II and Pearl. Youngsters have to think about it more.’

Russ Maine, Norwich

‘I was at Pearl (Harbor) when it ended but not when it began. It was one of the biggest events in our history. Most of the talk today is about Korea and Vietnam. (Pearl Harbor) should be talked about more.’

Richard Pfannenstiel, Gales Ferry

‘Lest we forget. We lost a lot of sailors that day. Having been a sailor, I know what it’s like to lose a comrade. Anytime anyone gives their life for their country, it’s important to remember it.’

Phil Miller, North Grosvenordale, veteran of U.S. Navy and National Guard

‘Remembering Pearl Harbor is important in the way that it’s not just remembering the Americans who died, but remembering how strong and determined we can be by coming together. We had to come together and sacrifice for the war effort. It’s an important event in American history. … It took thousands of lives.’

Jake Almquist, 16, Woodstock

‘It’s important we don’t forget Pearl Harbor. It was a day of infamy. … That generation, the World War II veterans, was by far the best generation.’

Barney Seney, Putnam, Vietnam veteran

‘That was the day Japan declared war on the United States. I can remember when I was a boy hearing Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor, and my parents were pretty down about it. Why not (observe it)? You have a lot of other holidays you celebrate.’

Roland Hardy, 74, Thompson

‘In any circumstance, we’d remember 2,400 people dying. It was an attack, and there was no way to defend it. It’s important to remember the lives of the people lost. It’s the same reason we remember 9/11.’

John Mercier, 18, Canterbury

‘Because it was such a tragic loss of life; that’s the most important thing. ... From a more cynical point of view, it’s a really comforting example of America as a peace-loving country who was attacked and forced to respond. It’s a nice, clear, moral example of we weren’t doing anything and were attacked. It’s a good example of who we are as a people.’

Brian Evans, U.S. and world history teacher, Parish Hill Middle/High School

‘To remember our veterans. Obviously the World War II veterans are dying off year by year. America was brought into such a major conflict because of it. It’s one of the few things that happened on American soil, so it’s important to see that as a major historical event.’

Rick Radlo, social studies and science teacher, Parish Hill Middle/High School

‘First, it affected everyone’s lives. It was a significant point in history. Anytime American lives are lost in service to the country, it should be remembered. It was an event that changed the world. I think December 7 and 9/11 did something to the entire country. Generations since then should be studying history to see why things should be done differently. We can’t just react, we need to learn from history.’

Arlene Wirsig, Woodstock, whose husband, Stanley, served as an Army Air Corps pilot in World War II

‘It (was) the explosion that caused us to go into World War II. A lot of our foreign policies, a lot of our world view, comes from what we did in World War II. … It’s important too because a lot of kids today hear romantic stories about the World War II era. They don’t hear about the sadness, destruction and unfortunate things that caused us to go into the war.’

 Greg Parkhurst, U.S. history teacher, Parish Hill High School

‘Today, some people will forget Pearl Harbor, choosing ignorance over painful memory. But the lesson of Pearl Harbor, like the lesson we learned on 9/11, is that we can never allow fear to lead to ignorance. We must always honor the men and women who served at Pearl Harbor and helped our country learn the lesson of vigilance.’

Greg Smith, history and military studies teacher, Woodstock Academy