Local veterans gather to reflect on the Pearl Harbor attacks and their own time of service

Posted By: Alden German
agerman@klkntv.com

December 7, 1941 was an ordinary day in the then-U.S. Territory of Hawaii until a surprise air attack by the Japanese left well over two thousand Americans dead. On the 77th anniversary of that day, the Veterans Memorial Gardens in Lincoln paid tribute to those who lost their lives not just in Pearl Harbor, but all of the United States’ wars.

Known as the “day that will live in infamy,” the attack on Pearl Harbor forever changed the United States.

“It’s so important that we remember the history of December 7, what happened there, because that generation is gone. All we have left now is family and friends to be able to remember their stories,” said Ron Lechner of Veterans Memorial Garden.

Veterans and children of veterans in attendance told their story or the story of someone else close to them; sharing sometimes painful memories so others can know how the events of pearl harbor permanently changed people.

For more recent vets like retired Col. Joe Brownell, events like this serve a simple purpose.

“It really is to say ‘thank you.’ We can’t say it enough to the great generation that really changed the world by what happened in World War II and really allowing us to live through the freedoms we have today,” said Col. Brownell.

Brownell is a Nebraska native and attended UNL. He served for nearly thirty years in the U.S. Air Force and never forgets some of the horrors those before him had to face.

“Lots of lives were lost during World War II and at Pearl Harbor. What they saw and what they went through – I was blessed to not have to go through those similar experiences,” said Col. Brownell.

Just like he feels blessed to have served his country.

“I can’t thank them enough for what they do,” he said.