Local veterans mark Pearl Harbor Day
Local veterans remembered the attack on Pearl Harbor last week at Buccaneer Estates. A memorial service on Pearl Harbor Day was held at the Buccaneer Estates Veterans Memorial Garden.
“Today, Dec. 7, is the Day Of Infamy and the anniversary of the occasion – the start of WWII,” said Korean War veteran Don Gill.
“It is a remembrance of fallen comrades – we can’t forget them,” said decorated Vietnam War veteran Rick Dellaventura.
Jim Kapoll, a WWII veteran, also attended the event, and Deacon Jack Mulvey gave the invocation. The Amvets Post 81 Honor Guard posted colors.
“We did this day in respect for those people who gave their lives and to keep in mind the sacrifices people made for our lifestyle today,” said honor guard member Al Peirolo.
The Guard posted the colors to the sounds from a bugle and ceremonial cannon fire.
Representing the Colonial Army in period costume were Tom Brennan and Bill King.
Besides Brennan, King, Gill, Kapoll Dellaventura and Peirolo, many other local veterans and Amvets Post Guard members participated in the event. They included Walter Ahmad, Dennis Densmore, L. Jack Waddell, Carole Ahmad, Ellen LaRochelle, Doug Robeson, Ed Tucker, and Mulvey.
Future military events to take place at the memorial include Retiring of the Colors in February, and the PIO/MIA Remembrance Ceremony in March.
The North Fort Myers-based Amvets Post 81 Honor Guard provides military ceremonial appearances of all kinds at private and community events, at no charge. For information call Waddell at 849-0112 or 656-4088.