Pieces Of Pearl Harbor History Play Part In Remembrance Ceremony

West Virginia University commemorated the anniversary of Pearl Harbor a day early this year. 

Each December, the bell of the USS West Virginia rings out in remembrance of those who died during the attack 83 years ago. WVU ROTC members are on hand as an honor guard, as are local veterans, and ROTC members have the honor to toll the bell.

The bell, along with the ship’s mast, are now fixtures of WVU’s downtown Morgantown campus and the focal point of an annual ceremony which includes a 21 gun salute, wreath layings from the Daughters of the American Revolution, and comments from local veterans. 

Retired Army Maj. George Davis gave this year’s keynote speech. He recounted the ship’s life, from its sponsorship by the Mann mining family to its damage during the 1941 attack. Davis said the ship serves as a symbol of perseverance.

“USS West Virginia, although heavily damaged at Pearl Harbor and missing much of the war, nevertheless gained Five battle stars,” he said. “Her 16 inch guns played a major role in the effort to take Iwo Jima. The war ended on August 15, 1945. USS West Virginia drilled her landing force for preparation for the oncoming occupation of Japan.” 

Davis said the ceremony should serve as a reminder not just of the sacrifice made by the USS West Virginia’s crew, but by all service members down the years.

“It’s critical that we don’t forget our history,” he said. “If you don’t remember your history, you’re liable to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. History is what this nation is founded on. It’s so important that people remember the hundreds of thousands and millions that have lost their lives in wars since this nation was founded.”