Westfield resident and Pearl Harbor survivor Robert Greenleaf, right, drops a ceremonial wreath into the Westfield River as part of last yarr’s Pearl Harbor ceremony. Joining Greenleaf are, American Legion Post 124 Commander Edward Johnson, and Chaplin Paul Nimchick. The ceremony took place at the Great River Bridge. (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – The American Legion Post 124 will be conducting a Pearl Harbor Day Memorial program on Sunday to observe the 73rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which resulted in America’s entry into World War II.
The program will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Westfield’s Kane Park, the site of the city’s Pearl Harbor Memorial Stone.
Special guests will be the Wojtkiewicz family and U.S. Navy veteran and Westfield-native Robert Greenleaf, a Pearl Harbor survivor, (health permitting).
In a statement, Post 124 said that all local and state dignitaries, along with the public, are invited to attend.
Post 124 Past Commander and present Historian James E. Markvart will serve as the master of Ceremonies for the event and state Sen. Don Humason, Jr., state Rep. John Velis and Westfield Mayor Daniel M. Knapik are just some of the individuals slated to speak at the event.
“As FDR said when asking for a Declaration of War, the attack on Pearl Harbor is a ‘day which will live in infamy'”. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point in American history which immediately led to America entering World War II,” said Velis. “The events of that day mobilized America in a way that forever changed the course of American history. We will forever owe a debt of gratitude to the ‘Greatest Generation'”.
“I am honored to participate in this ceremony,” said Knapik. “This year will be the first one without Walter Zarichak, who served as the master of ceremony for this event for many years. Walter always made this a very special event over the years.”
