Remembering Dec. 7, 1941, By Edita McQuary

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COMMUNITY NEWS Remembering Dec. 7, 1941

By Edita McQuary

Aday that will live in infamy” is how President Franklin Roosevelt described December 7, 1943 after 353 Japanese aircraft bombed the American military base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Eighteen ships were lost, 2,403 Americans died and 1,178 were wounded.

The next day, following this speech by the President, the U.S. Congress declared war on Japan.

It has been 80 years since this event and there are no more local World War II veterans.

However, sixteen people gathered to remember the event at breakfast at California Grill in Watsonville. They were Barry Jennings; Peter Telc; Brad Hubbard; Lt. Col Harry Wiggins and his wife, Clarice; Esther and Stan Jessee; Wayne and Jane Fort; Jane’s sister, Helen Bixler; Barbara A. Adamski; Marilyn Rivers; Bill McQuary; Bob Erbe; Ingrid Larsen and Frank Nigro. Retired Watsonville teacher Esther Jessee and Watsonville businessman Frank Nigro organized the event.

Esther Jessee (age 4 aon that date) related how on that beautiful Sunday morning she and her 9-year old brother were walking to Sunday School when they saw an aircraft coming their way. They were both shocked to see the grinning face of the Japanese pilot and the symbol of the rising sun on the airplane as it swooped down toward them and continued on its bombing mission.

Among other recollections shared of their families’ military connections, was one by former Marine Wayne Fort. His father’s cousin was Cornelia Fort, the aviator and instructor as well as the second member of the WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots).

On Dec. 7, she and her student pilot almost collided mid-air with a Japanese aircraft. They barely escaped and when upon landing, the Japanese pilot strafed their airplane but fortunately they were able to get away.

Cornelia Fort was recognized for her aviation/piloting career in a recent PBS special.

Ingrid Larsen, widow of a military man, told about her father, Erick Sorenson who was one of the founders of the informal annual get-together and how much it meant to her family. In 2019, her brother, also ex-military, and his son attended the event. There was no event in 2020 due to Covid-19.

It was interesting to hear how everyone present had some connection to the military either by serving in it or having a relative that served in some capacity to aid the war effort.

The greatest generation is now almost gone. These were the people, along with their European allies, who saved the world from a dictator and made the world a better place. It is fitting that they be remembered. n