COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "day that will live in infamy" took place across the country Wednesday, and Colorado Springs was no exception.
A commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the event that thrust the nation into the middle of World War II, took place at Memorial Park at 11 a.m.
At their last meeting the Board of El Paso County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution commemorating the anniversary.
They urged residents to join in honoring local veterans who survived the attack.
An El Paso County resident for 55 years, Walt Himmelberg, who was onboard the USS West Virginia during the bloody battle, said that he appreciates the commissioners honoring this day.
He said that when people ask about his emotions on the day of that fateful attack there are many that come to mind such as fear, surprise, and sadness.
He also said there was another emotion, "One you had to be there to appreciate. Pride."
Another soldier, Jim Downing, who was stationed at the Schofield Barracks in Honolulu also shared his memories of the attack and said, "This is something we'd like to forget, but every Dec. 7 it hits you like a bullet."
In addition to the ceremony in Colorado Springs, Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags be lowered to half staff across the state.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM