Veterans, patriots and citizens gathered at Oxford American Legion Post 108 Sunday afternoon for the annual Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony.
On Dec. 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans and wounding another 1,178.
In response, the United States shed its isolationist politics, mobilized militarily and industrially, and entered World War II.
‘America was unprepared for war, but we quickly came together to do what (had to) be done to defend our country,? said Dr. Joe Mastromatteo, master of ceremonies.
Mastromatteo said the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor taught the U.S. a very valuable lesson ? ‘Weakness and unpreparedness do not build peace, but invite war.?
Among the many veterans present at the ceremony was Otto John Jones, who’s lived in Oxford since 1955. The 90-year-old WWII veteran proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1943-46 as an aircraft mechanic in the Pacific Theater. He was stationed in the Marshall Islands and later, on Okinawa.
‘It was an important job, but I didn’t really see the action the pilots did,? Jones said.
Jones? ‘biggest thrill? was being aboard the USS Missouri, a battleship, when U.S. Army General and Supreme Allied Commander Douglas MacArthur formally accepted Japan’s surrender on Sept. 2, 1945.
‘I didn’t see him sign the papers, but I saw him with them,? he said.
Jones believes it’s important to remember the lessons of Pearl Harbor because if America forgets, ‘it could happen again.?