Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum honors Pearl Harbor Day with annual wreath laying ceremony
NEW YORK -- The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space museum held a ceremony on Wednesday commemorating the 81st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
CBS2's Natalie Duddridge spoke to families of survivors.
"My dad received this Bronze Star on the invasion of Okinawa," Michael Galella said of his father, Chick Galella.
Chick Galella proudly wore this medal and cap each year on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, as he spoke at the Intrepid's annual ceremony. He died last year from COVID complications, so now his son carries on his father's memories of that day, Dec. 7, 1941.
"On the Saturday before Dec. 7, he got a pass to go to Honolulu, Hawaii for the day. He got up early to have breakfast in the mess hall, and that pass would never be used. All of a sudden bombs were flying, bullets were flying. Can you imagine these 19-year-olds running for their lives?" Michael Galella said.
A surprise attack on Naval Station Pearl Harbor shocked the nation. In all, 2,400 civilians and members of the military were killed. It led to America's involvement in World War II.
"This day, really, I get emotional about it because all of the men that were lost and the women," said Robert Cassara, a former crew member of the U.S.S. Intrepid.
Former Intrepid crew members and World War II veterans helped toss a commemorative wreath off the side of the ship on Wednesday to honor the fallen.
Military members and their families said there are so many lessons to take away from this 81st anniversary.
"Just three months after Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt signed an executive order mandating the registration of Japanese-Americans and others with Japanese ancestry. We must never allow such a thing to happen again," Michelle Chabin said.
Her father, Aaron Chabin, was also a Pearl Harbor survivor. Now, she's the mother of two active duty soldiers.
"If Pearl Harbor and 9/11 have taught us anything, imagine the unimaginable, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and that's why we continue to have a military," Michelle Chabin said.
Family members said most of all they want to ensure the courage and bravery of Pearl Harbor vets and World War II vets is never forgotten.