SHORE PERSPECTIVES: Ten Local JROTC Cadets Travel To Hawaii To Participate in Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade

By Kelley Gaskill

December 7th, 1941 is a day that will live on in American history as a day of extreme tragedy. It was a day that would live in infamy and thrust the United States of America into the second World War. Now, over 80 years later, Americans and people from all over the world gather to pay tribute to those whose service and sacrifice preserved freedom and liberty at home and abroad.

Each year on December 7th in Honolulu, Hawaii, a commemorative parade is held in remembrance of the more than 2,300 members of the United States armed forces and United States civilians who tragically lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Thousands gather in Honolulu to honor the fallen and watch the commemorative memorial parade that takes place. The parade aims to create a meaningful tribute to veterans and the armed forces of the United States.

This year among the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade participants will be 10 Junior ROTC Cadets from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Just before they embarked on their journey Wednesday night at 11 p.m., Kelley visited with the cadets and their naval instructor, Phyllis Smith, as they shared their excitement and thanks for the support that made the trip possible.

The parade, which begins December 7th at 6p.m. Hawaii time (11 p.m. Eastern time), will be broadcast live and be available to watch afterwards through this link: https://www.pearlharborparade.org/home.