Saturday, December 7, 2013

PEARL HARBOR - 72 YEARS AGO - TODAY


LOCAL HERO - Jim Downing is a survivor of the brutal sneak attack by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor 72 years ago today. Jim was ashore when the attack began but raced down to his ship the U.S.S. West Virginia as soon as he could. The ship would sink and ninety minutes after it began, the attack was over, as 2,386 Americans died (48 - 68 were civilians), a further 1,139 wounded. Eighteen ships were sunk or run aground, including five battleships. I have interviewed Jim several times and hope to post portions of the videos in coming days. For today I will share a video prepared by El Paso County to preserve the stories of local veterans. Please remember these veterans & their families in your thoughts and prayers.


No comments: