The Douglas-Coffee County Veterans Park Committee hosted the 3rd Annual Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 10 AM at the Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport. The Veterans Park Committee conducted a moving, patriotic ceremony which included recognition of WWII Veterans as well as all Veterans.
Mr. Ed Coleman the Chairman of the Veterans Park Committee was the Master of Ceremonies and Dr. Carl McDonald spoke moving invocation for the ceremony. Mayor Tony Paulk wholeheartedly welcomed each person and acknowledged Veterans who were present. Korean War Veteran, Ronnie West, was recognized and spoke briefly about the familial effect of losing his brother, who was killed in action at Pearl Harbor on the USS Arizona. Two students from First Academy participate in the program—Ms. Natalie Guthrie from First Academy beautifully sang the National Anthem and Logan James led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance following the posting of colors by the CHS NJROTC. Mr. Henry Martin (American Legion Post 515), presented a Pearl Harbor speech and County Commissioner Oscar Paulk (American Legion Post 515) played a meaningful Taps as the flags were lowered to half-mast in observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Everyone enjoyed a surprise fly-over of a PT-17 Stearman by Mr. Chris Rounds. The Stearman was the plane that pilots used for training during WWII in Douglas prior to going to war. Following the conclusion of the program, attendees were invited inside the airport terminal to view the WWII Exhibit by Mr. Tim Oliver, (Retired Air Force Pilot & Military Historian) and WWII Living History Reenactors.
Special thanks to the Veterans Park Committee, American Legion Post 515, VFW Post 5976, Mayor Tony Paulk, CHS NJROTC, First Academy, Natalie Guthrie, Logan James, Oscar Paulk, Tom Oliver, and WWII Re-Enactors.
