Survivors attending the anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor appeared humble and grateful for the outpouring of respect and acknowledgement they received upon their return visit to Hawaii.
“They are humbled and proud,” said Bill Reynolds, The Signal Director of Veterans Affairs, who is helping elderly Pearl Harbor survivors return to scene of the attack in Hawaii.
“Several (of the survivors) spoke before the crowd at the hangar expressing their gratitude for recognizing them,” he said Monday.
“These men are rather surprised at the pomp and circumstance – bagpipers, national anthem, pledge of allegiance, prayer.” Reynolds said.
“They are humbled and emotional.”
The trip undertaken to by the survivors was made possible by an organization called the Greatest Generations Foundation, which enables veterans to return to the scene of their battle.
A total of 72 veterans and Pearl Harbor survivors joined the trip for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Wednesday, Dec. 7. Of the veterans, 25 are WWII veterans, Reynolds said.
Reynolds, a veteran himself of the Vietnam War, returned to Vietnam in April with three other vets as part of the foundation’s first formal visit to Vietnam.
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