CHAPEL HILL – “A date which will live in infamy” as then President of the United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it.

It’s been 72 years since the surprise attack by the Japanese on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

American Legion Post 6 Commander Lee Heavlin said the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars gathered Friday night and took a moment to remember the more  than 2,200 Americans who died during the attack.

“It’s important that we as veterans keep what happened alive,” Heavlin said.

Intended to neutralize the US Pacific Fleet, the attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy led to the United States’ entry into World War II.

World War II veteran Major Everett “Bud” Hampton, who served in the Marine Corp, said that though years have passed, the memory of the moment he found out the news of Pearl Harbor remains clear.

“I was at my girlfriend’s house on Sunday afternoon,” Hampton said. “It took everyone by surprise, not even knowing where Pearl Harbor was.”

Hampton said what happened at Pearl Harbor motivated him to enlist. He participated in four major operations while serving in the Pacific Ocean theater.

The air attack on Pearl Harbor came in two waves of Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes. The first wave targeted “Battleship Row,” on the east side of Ford Island. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, of which four were sunk.

“I’m in awe. I’m in awe. When you think about all the men on these ships—hundreds and hundreds of people,” Heavlin said. “Each ship is literally a small town. To lose that, in massive numbers in the early morning when everyone was sitting back and relaxing for Sunday—it was tough. It was tough.”

Heavlin said the Veterans of Foreign Wars will commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor while participating in several holiday parades this weekend.

He said it is now up to a new generation to remember and honor those who died in the attack.

“From the older generation, we’ve lost a lot of World War II veterans. Some of the children of World War II veterans are now senior citizens themselves,” Heavlin said.

The attack lasted less than two hours but took a heavy toll on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. In addition to the four battleships that were sunk, 188 aircraft were destroyed. For its part, Japan lost 64 men and 29 planes, according to Time Magazine.

Related Stories
‹
Hometown Hero: Anne Brashear from Phillips Middle School
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Anne Brashear, who is leading a grassroots effort to clean up the area around the American Legion Post 6 in Chapel Hill and make it a sustainable community park. “Anne has organized volunteers daily to go out there and pick out some of the plants that […]
American Legion Property Task Force Recruitment Continues in Chapel Hill
The transfer of property once owned by the American Legion to the municipal government in Chapel Hill is underway, but participation in the business at hand will not be limited to town officials. According to Mayor Pam Hemminger, residents are being sought to join a task force that will make recommendations to the Chapel Hill […]
On Memorial Day, American Legion Remembers Fallen Vets
Memorial Day ceremonies include an open house at the American Legion post.
American Legion Members Growing Restless
American Legion Post 6 commander William Munsee expressed his frustration with the town of Chapel Hill in a letter sent to the town manager. Munsee said he read a report on a meeting held March 16, during which the Chapel Hill Town Council discussed the possible future of the American Legion property. “In the report were […]
Reply to Matt Bailey
Recently, Matt Bailey, a fan of luxury apartments on the American Legion property asked, “Where were all these park lovers before January?” We were all around you, Matt.  Our desire for a park on the Legion property was expressed clearly in the Comprehensive Parks Plan adopted in 2013.  That same year the 2020 Comprehensive Plan […]
How Chapel Hill Can Get a New Park for FREE
When the American Legion Post 6 announced it was selling its land on Legion Road for $10-million to a company that wants to build 600 apartment homes geared toward young professionals, some Chapel Hillians urged the town to buy the land—for $10-million—to create a new park instead. From New York’s Central Park to Munich’s Englischer […]
Town Council Continues To Review American Legion Possibilities
The debate over what to do with the 36-acre property soon to be the former home of the American Legion is far from over. “We have this opportunity now,” Mayor Pam Hemminger said during the town council’s work session Wednesday night. “I wanted to hear whether the council wanted to look for other options or […]
On Thanksgiving, There are Seats at the Table for Those in Need in Chapel Hill
Thanksgiving is a time for showing kindness to those who are lonely, or less fortunate than some of us.
American Legion Post 6 Stays Put, At Least For Now
An American Legion post commander said that Chapel Hill residents shouldn’t expect to see a “For Sale” sign in front of the Post 6 building on Legion Road any time soon.
American Legion Post 6 Mulls Relocation, Property Sale
American Legion Post 6 of Chapel Hill is considering a change of location after more than a half-century at its Legion Road address.
›