St. Peters Remembers Pearl Harbor Veterans

A large crowd gathered Wednesday morning to remember something that happened 70 years ago.

The hosted the 13th annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony. Veterans and residents came to remember the lives of those lost in the attacks on Dec. 7, 1941. 

Lee Hollrah, the Chairman of the Veteran's Memorial Commission, opened the ceremony by talking about how significant the day was in United States history. He quoted Imperial Admiral Yamamoto—"We have awakened a sleeping giant"—and thanked those who gave their lives.

St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano also spoke, talking about his important it was to remember the events. Pagano's words were echoed by guest speaker retired Major Wayne Kuppler.

Kuppler drew the comparison to Sept. 11, 2001, the events of the Alamo and Pearl Harbor. He said that although no one in the room was alive during the Alamo, it was still well known because people kept the story alive. Soon, he said, the Pearl Harbor generation will be gone and it's up the Sept. 11 generation—and future generations—to keep the memory alive.