On Dec. 7 at 11 a.m., American Legion Post 2 held its annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day outside under the flagpole at Hooker Court, Bristol, overlooking part of the Memorial Blvd. The World War II Legacy Foundation, along with the Iwo Jima Association of Connecticut, assisted. Individuals from the Woody Williams Gold Star Family Memorial Monument Committee were on hand also. On this day the Legion remembers all those who fought in World War II: the 4,762 from Bristol who enlisted in Bristol along with the 169 who never made it home. We also honor all World War II veterans no matter where they are from.
Joe Caminiti, the last known living Iwo Jima survivor in Connecticut, rang the bell from USS Kidd to begin the ceremony. Marianne Roy from the World War II Legacy Foundation read the names of the 19 from Connecticut who were killed during the Pearl Harbor attack. Dick Fitz, who in March will turn 100, is a World War II Navy veteran who said a prayer said aboard his ship whenever a fellow sailor was laid to rest at sea.
Taps was sounded. Due to a number of funerals that morning and afternoon, the American Legion Honor Guard was unable to attend. It was felt the teams and ammo that would have been used for the Pearl Harbor ceremony should be used for the burial of our veterans. We were short a person to take pictures, so the mayor volunteered.
After the ceremony Caminiti and Fitz traveled to Southington Mission BBQ, where they were honored by the staff and those there. Both were presented with a meal and talked with a number of people there.