Seventy-five years ago, Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, killing thousands of American service members and pulling the country into World War II.
Submarine Veterans Groton said Dec. 7, 1941 is a day that should never be forgotten. Wednesday they fired seven cannon rounds and said a prayer for the more than 2,300 service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The group commemorated the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the World War II Submarine Memorial in Groton.
"We've already forgotten an awful lot of what this country represents and what the country's freedoms give us,” said EMCM(SS) Ret. Jack Gallimore, who is the chaplain at Sub Vets Groton.
CDR Cory Dyer, the Naval Base New London Executive Officer, said he was stationed at Pearl Harbor, and there for 50th anniversary of the attack.
"Indications from the attack around the shipyard where there's buildings with bullet holes in them and chunks taken out of the mortar or concrete,” Dyer said.
Seaman Darron Dean, 19, of Mobile, Ala. said he’ll always remember what happened 75 years ago today. He joined the Navy earlier this year.
"All the people who went before me, and all the people who have died in the line wearing this uniform, makes this uniform all the more worth it,” Dean said.
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"Every boy, he grows up wanting to be something better, be a part of a bigger team, and the Navy is a really big team,” he added.
Floyd Welch, a veteran from East Lyme, survived the attack at Pearl Harbor. His daughter tells NBC Connecticut he was in Hawaii Wednesday commemorating the 75th anniversary.
