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‘Many paid the ultimate price.’ Pearl Harbor remembered on 80th anniversary in Fresno area

By John Walker
World War II Army infantry veteran Vern Schmidt, 95, of Fresno, center, who served in the European theater of war, salutes during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at Tesoro Viejo Town Center, Tuesday morning, Dec. 7, 2021. This was the 80th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, which led the United States into World War II. The ceremony, attended by around 150, included military veterans, school children, and residents. Bill Tokumoto, 87, was in Honolulu that Sunday morning as a 7 1/2-year-old schoolboy, playing in his backyard, and remembers the waves of Japanese Zeros on their wave in the surprise attack. He said it’s important after 80 years to still remember those who sacrificed their lives on that day that President Franklin Roosevelt said “a date which will live in infamy.” The event featured a keynote speech by Sally Moreno, Madera County District Attorney, musical tributes, a wreath laying, and rifle salute.
World War II Army infantry veteran Vern Schmidt, 95, of Fresno, center, who served in the European theater of war, salutes during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at Tesoro Viejo Town Center, Tuesday morning, Dec. 7, 2021. This was the 80th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, which led the United States into World War II. The ceremony, attended by around 150, included military veterans, school children, and residents. Bill Tokumoto, 87, was in Honolulu that Sunday morning as a 7 1/2-year-old schoolboy, playing in his backyard, and remembers the waves of Japanese Zeros on their wave in the surprise attack. He said it’s important after 80 years to still remember those who sacrificed their lives on that day that President Franklin Roosevelt said “a date which will live in infamy.” The event featured a keynote speech by Sally Moreno, Madera County District Attorney, musical tributes, a wreath laying, and rifle salute. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com
MADERA

Tuesday morning marked the 80th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

At Tesoro Viejo Town Center in Madera County, about 150 military veterans, school children and descendants of those lost honored those who sacrificed their lives during a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony. The surprise attack — declared “a date which will live in infamy” by President Franklin Roosevelt — led to the United States’ entrance into World War II.

Including Vern Schmidt, 95.

Schmidt, of Fresno and originally from Reedley, was the only WWII veteran in attendance Tuesday morning.

“It brings back memories, and I’m just so glad and so proud to be a little part in World War II, and let’s say bringing the enemy down to its knees and made our country victorious,” the Army infantry veteran said.

“But many, many paid the ultimate price, and gave their lives so that we can enjoy freedom in this great country and this great American flag that we honor and we salute.”

Also at the remembrance ceremony was 87-year-old Air Force veteran Bill Tokumoto, who was near the attack on Pearl Harbor as a 7 1/2-year-old schoolboy in Honolulu. He recalled playing in his yard as waves of Japanese Zeros passed overhead.

He said it’s important after 80 years to still remember those who sacrificed their lives on that day.

Tokumoto, of Fresno, went on to a 26-year career in the Air Force, serving in the Vietnam War before retiring as a major.

The event featured a keynote speech by Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno, musical tributes, a wreath laying and a rifle salute.

This story was originally published December 7, 2021 at 2:06 PM.

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