‘Battleship New Jersey’ Honors Fallen Soldiers from Pearl Harbor Attack
SNJ Today
December 7, 2018
Friday, December 7th, marks the 77th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack that brings generations of veterans and families together to reflect on an important day in history.
Seventy-seven years later, Americans continue to reflect on the day of the devastating surprise attack from Japanese forces on a United States naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1941.
Veterans and family members of those who served gathered together on the Battleship New Jersey to remember the many fallen lives.
Bill Moen, freeholder, Camden County, says the event is very special in Camden.
“We have four of our own local sons who were killed in those attacks,” says Moen. “In Gloucester County, there was one additional [son] that was killed on December 7th, 1941.
“So it’s our goal in coordination with the Battleship New Jersey, which is one of the most decorated ships in navy history to host a ceremony every year.”
This year, U.S. Representative Donald Norcross led the Pearl Harbor commemoration ceremony as a keynote speaker.
“It takes great courage to go to war, but it takes more strength to make the peace and it’s the wisdom to know the difference,” says Norcross.
Following the ceremonial speeches, Norcross and two World War II veterans cast a wreath into the Delaware River to honor the lives lost at Pearl Harbor.
Moen says many older folks around Camden County continue to show up to the annual commemoration and reflect on “the date which will live in infamy.”