More than 100 Manville residents and veterans remembered the Dec. 7, 1941, attack with a formal ceremony that included speeches, special guests and a performance of taps.
By: Donna Lukiw
As 80 war veterans gathered at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Washington Avenue last week, they each remembered the lives lost during the Pearl Harbor attack Dec. 7, 1941.
On the 64th anniversary of the attack, more than 100 Manville residents and veterans remembered the tragic day with a formal ceremony including speeches, special guests and a performance of taps played Jim O’Reilly, the VFW post’s bugler.
"We can’t forget the sacrifices these men made which impelled us into World War II," Renny Dilks, commander of VFW Post 2290 said. "It was a sneak attack from the Japanese and these men cannot be forgotten."
The attack on Pearl Harbor became an infamous day in history, killing 2,403 American soldiers, wounding 1,178 and launching the United States into World War II.
After the commander gave a brief speech explaining the importance of remembering the Pearl Harbor attack, three veterans of VFW 2290 presented their arms and fired M1’s in the air in tribute.
"As a veterans organization we will not forget the men who died at Pearl Harbor," said Commander Dilks, Vietnam War veteran.
Mayor Angelo Corradino, District 15 VFW Commander Jim Wisor, New Jersey VFW Judge Advocate Richard Bradshaw, and Bill Connors from the local chapter of the Purple Hearts Association all honored the servicemen during the ceremony.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed chicken marsala, kielbasa and sauerkraut all cooked by Commander Dilks.
"I would like to see one day where we don’t have any wars, but in reality I don’t think we’re gonna see that," Commander Dilks said.