Community News

Board of Commissioners honors Pearl Harbor Day

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 8, 2021

Henderson County commissioners on Monday honored the heroism of military personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor and the heroism of the soldiers, sailors, Marines and flyers who gave their lives after "the mighty threat to civilization" that began that day.

A flag that flew over Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, was displayed at the Board of Commissioners meeting room when County Commission Chair Bill Lapsley read the resolution in remembrance of Pearl Harbor. Here's the resolution:

WHEREAS, December 7, 2021 marks the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor – a day
described by President Franklin Roosevelt as “a date which will live in infamy”; and
WHEREAS, on December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii Territory. The bombing killed 2,403 Americans and injured 1,178
others. The attack capsized the U.S.S. Oklahoma and destroyed the U.S.S. Arizona.
A total of twelve ships were either sunk or beached and nine others were damaged.
159 aircraft were damaged and 188 aircraft were destroyed; and
WHEREAS, the attack led the United States into World War II; and
WHEREAS, on September 1, 1945, the Japanese surrendered on the battleship Missouri anchored
in Tokyo Harbor. President Harry S. Truman declared, “Four years ago, the thoughts
and fears of the whole civilized world were centered on another piece of American
soil, Pearl Harbor. The mighty threat to civilization which began there is now laid to
rest. ... We shall not forget Pearl Harbor”; and
WHEREAS, in 1994, Congress designated December 7th of each year as National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day and requested that the day be observed by a Presidential
proclamation calling on the people of the United States, including all departments,
agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government, interested organizations,
groups and individuals, to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff and to observe
the day with appropriate ceremonies, in honor of the individuals who died as a result
of their service at Pearl Harbor;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Henderson County Board of Commissioners
declare December 7th a day for Henderson County local government and its citizens to observe and
remember this important day in history, in honor and appreciation of the heroism for those who paid
the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the County of Henderson to be
affixed.
Adopted this, the 6th day of December, 2021.