CLEVELAND — Tuesday marked the 80th anniversary of the sudden attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War II.
What You Need To Know
- A wreath ceremony honored those who fought and died in the attack on Pearl Harbor
- Janet Pavlic was chosen for the special honor
- Her father-in-law was a first responder to the attack as a member of the Army
A wreath casting ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Cod honored the nearly 2,400 lives that were lost that day.
Janet Pavlic was chosen to cast the wreath into Lake Erie, where the submarine is docked. She was bestowed the honor by a fellow member of Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.
“Being able to represent my group is such an honor, to be able to come up, and do the wreath tossing,” Pavlic said.
Pavlic’s father-in-law, Michael Pavlic, was a first responder on the day of the attack.
“Like most World War II vets, dad didn’t talk a whole lot about the actual day of the attack,” Pavlic said.
But, she said that he did share some memories of what happened.
“He was going to breakfast that morning when the attack started. They immediately turned around and got onto base,” Pavlic added. “In his case, they grabbed all their guns and did what they could to protect their land.”
Pavlic’s father-in-law was a member of the Army. It’s a group that she said isn’t typically remembered on the day.
“So, he wasn’t actually on a boat. A lot of people don’t realize Army guys were actually very active in the attack as well,” Pavlic said.
Despite that, Pavlic said casting the wreathing is an important way to remember all who fought and died at the naval base.
“We’re losing our World War II veterans every day, less and less of them, and we just have to make sure that we honor the greatest generation,” Pavlic said.
Pavlic said that her group didn’t have any local survivors who could attend the commemoration, but she said it’s their mission to keep their names and stories alive, just like her father-in-law’s.
