Wednesday marks the 81st anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.2,402 Americans died and 1,178 Americans were wounded as a result of the attack on December 7, 1941, which resulted in President Franklin Roosevelt asking Congress for a Declaration of War and the United States formally joining the Allies in World War II.The date that “will live in infamy” is remembered each year to honor the lives lost and surviving veterans.Part of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day includes a parade in Waikiki. Ryle High School Marching Band in Boone County is one of just 14 high school and college bands chosen across the country to perform and march in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade.For two years, The Marching Raiders have practiced and fundraised to send as many of the band members as possible to Hawaii to participate in the parade. In total, more than 120 members of the band, in addition to parents and school staff are currently in Hawaii. For days, the group has toured parts of Hawaii, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and performed at the USS Missouri.”Seeing the students at the Arizona memorial and seeing them go through that,” Ryle High School Marching Band Director Joe Criag said of his band members touring sites like Pearl Harbor National Memorial. “Realizing that many of the students in our band that are juniors and seniors are around the same age as some of the people that were involved in that attack and just to kind of see that impact on the students has been really amazing.”The Ryle High School Marching Band is set to perform three songs during the parade including combined patriotic performances with all participating bands, including local Navy and Marine Corps bands.For senior drum major Zach Ramsey, performing also brings the significance of the day to life far beyond anything he’s learned in a classroom.”Obviously, I knew Pearl Harbor was a massive historical, significant event, you know, ‘A date which will live in infamy,'” Ramsey recalled. “But just being able to be here and see all the things firsthand has really resonated with me, like just the significance this had on America and how important it is that we continue to honor it going forward.”Ramsey went on to acknowledge the commitment to perform as a way to honor the living as well as those who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor.”We also have veterans from World War II veterans who were there at Pearl Harbor, veterans who, you know, that was a direct part of their experience,” Ramsey said. “Obviously we’re here, we’re playing, but we’re doing it for them. And I feel like being able to experience all of the Pearl Harbor Memorial firsthand, it’s allowed us to really kind of experience like what we’re doing this and who are doing this for.”The Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade is set for 6:00 p.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time and 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Wednesday marks the 81st anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
2,402 Americans died and 1,178 Americans were wounded as a result of the attack on December 7, 1941, which resulted in President Franklin Roosevelt asking Congress for a Declaration of War and the United States formally joining the Allies in World War II.
The date that “will live in infamy” is remembered each year to honor the lives lost and surviving veterans.
Part of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day includes a parade in Waikiki.
Ryle High School Marching Band in Boone County is one of just 14 high school and college bands chosen across the country to perform and march in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade.
For two years, The Marching Raiders have practiced and fundraised to send as many of the band members as possible to Hawaii to participate in the parade.
In total, more than 120 members of the band, in addition to parents and school staff are currently in Hawaii. For days, the group has toured parts of Hawaii, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and performed at the USS Missouri.
“Seeing the students at the Arizona memorial and seeing them go through that,” Ryle High School Marching Band Director Joe Criag said of his band members touring sites like Pearl Harbor National Memorial. “Realizing that many of the students in our band that are juniors and seniors are around the same age as some of the people that were involved in that attack and just to kind of see that impact on the students has been really amazing.”
The Ryle High School Marching Band is set to perform three songs during the parade including combined patriotic performances with all participating bands, including local Navy and Marine Corps bands.
For senior drum major Zach Ramsey, performing also brings the significance of the day to life far beyond anything he’s learned in a classroom.
“Obviously, I knew Pearl Harbor was a massive historical, significant event, you know, ‘A date which will live in infamy,'” Ramsey recalled. “But just being able to be here and see all the things firsthand has really resonated with me, like just the significance this had on America and how important it is that we continue to honor it going forward.”
Ramsey went on to acknowledge the commitment to perform as a way to honor the living as well as those who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“We also have veterans from World War II veterans who were there at Pearl Harbor, veterans who, you know, that was a direct part of their experience,” Ramsey said. “Obviously we’re here, we’re playing, but we’re doing it for them. And I feel like being able to experience all of the Pearl Harbor Memorial firsthand, it’s allowed us to really kind of experience like what we’re doing this and who are doing this for.”
The Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade is set for 6:00 p.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time and 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
