Dear Answer Man, I heard today from a guy that this year's Pearl Harbor Day observance was the last. I can't imagine that's true, but maybe you can check that out. We must never forget that day that changed the world. We must always remember the 2,400 heroes who were lost. — Wayne S.
No need to worry about Pearl Harbor Day events, Wayne. The number of men and women who were serving at Pearl Harbor that day in 1941 is dwindling, and the Greatest Generation will run its course, but the infamous day will be remembered long after.
The source of the rumor that Wayne heard is a news story about this year's 70th anniversary event being the last for the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association , which doesn't have enough able-bodied men and women to keep it going. They're apparently going to dissolve the association, which was established in the late '50s and received a special congressional charter in 1985, on Dec. 31.
But again, commemorative events will happen in Pearl Harbor and elsewhere on the 71st anniversary next year. I'm always amazed how volunteers come together locally, even late in the game, to put together events to honor veterans.
