Pearl Harbor Day at the Navy Memorial - 2016
Naval District Washington commemorated Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day with a wreath laying ceremony with the Navy Band and Ceremonial Guard at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. on Wednesday Dec. 7, 2016. Also present was Pearl Harbor survivor former Chief Boatswain Mate Frank McCauley Ruby (age 99) of Dayton Ohio. The ceremony marked the 75th anniversary of the attacks that led the U.S. into joining World War II. 2,403 Americans perished and 19 vessels were either sunk or severely damaged. This will also in all probability mark the last major anniversary of the attack attended by survivors. Rear Adm. Charles Rock, Commandant, Naval District Washington, presented a memorial wreath at the base of the Navy Memorial's Lone Sailor Statue with Ruby.
Earlier in the day, Pulitzer Prize winning author Steve Twomey discussed his new book "Countdown to Pearl Harbor" as part of the Navy Memorial's "Authors on Deck" book lecture series.
Guest speaker at the event was U.S. Navy Memorial Treasurer and President Emeritus, RADM Ted Walker who as a nine-year-old son of a naval officer, witnessed the attack. Walker spoke about the urgent need at all times for military preparedness.
Frank Ruby, who joined the Navy in 1936 at age 18, was on a fuel oil barge in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. The barge held a precarious cargo of 100,000 gallons of 100 octane gasoline and 50,000 gallons of diesel oil. From his vantage point on the ship, Ruby could see the faces of the torpedo planes’ pilots. "I usually have the same summation when telling about this fateful event. 'We all gave some; some gave all.' There are only two people who will give their life for you; Jesus and a military man. The real heroes are still out there."
Read MoreEarlier in the day, Pulitzer Prize winning author Steve Twomey discussed his new book "Countdown to Pearl Harbor" as part of the Navy Memorial's "Authors on Deck" book lecture series.
Guest speaker at the event was U.S. Navy Memorial Treasurer and President Emeritus, RADM Ted Walker who as a nine-year-old son of a naval officer, witnessed the attack. Walker spoke about the urgent need at all times for military preparedness.
Frank Ruby, who joined the Navy in 1936 at age 18, was on a fuel oil barge in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. The barge held a precarious cargo of 100,000 gallons of 100 octane gasoline and 50,000 gallons of diesel oil. From his vantage point on the ship, Ruby could see the faces of the torpedo planes’ pilots. "I usually have the same summation when telling about this fateful event. 'We all gave some; some gave all.' There are only two people who will give their life for you; Jesus and a military man. The real heroes are still out there."
