Michael B. Gunn, Ph.D.
Past President, Patriot Graves Chair CCSAR
At noon on December 2, 2018, the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) joined members of the Chambers Hartman Budde American Legion Post 534, the Hamilton County Sheriffs Pipes & Drums and several other Veterans groups for the 64th Ceremony to remember the attack on Pearl Harbor and honor the 2,403 citizens of the United States who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The Day that President Roosevelt said on national radio would “live in Infamy.”
The parade from River Road is short in length, but very long on spirit. Supported by the drums and bagpipers playing the themes of United States military units and solemn ceremony to the awaiting barge provided by the Anderson Ferry. Once the vessel is loaded it is powered out on to the Ohio River where a bugler on the barge mirrors a bugler on the shore with a spine tingling rendition of Taps. Following was a proper military prayer and presentation led by the American Legion Post 534 and a rifle salute.
Finally, bio-friendly wreaths were placed on to the water mimicking the ritual one would see on December 7th at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Silence followed, marked only by the straining engine of the tugboat slowly returning the 70 plus attendees back to shore. The ceremony was a reverent and fitting remembrance for those who fought suffered and even died, so we would remain free.
God bless America!
Photos by Janet Crandall and Michael Gunn
