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Coast Artillery Remembrance Ceremony 2024

By Victor AguirreDecember 9, 2024

94th AAMDC hosted the Coast Artillery Remembrance ceremony at Fort Kamehameha, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, honoring those who perished during the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Dec. 6, 2024. The 94th AAMDC extends its condolences to the Blake family, who lost their surviving family member this past year.

“We cannot forget December 7, 1941, the event that brought us into World World II. As we fast forward 80 years there remains an existential threat here within the Pacific. We have evolved from coastal artillery to air defense artillery cannons to highly technical missile systems,” said 94th AAMDC Senior Enlisted Leader Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Kelly Hart. “However, I see our many partners and allies amongst the crowd here today. It gives me hope that our coalition is stronger than it has ever been. We do not want war but rather peace in a free and open Indo-Pacific!

Guest speaker Ret. Lt. Col John Hansen thanked everyone in attendance and shared a personal account from his father, Pvt. Harry Hansen, who heard rumors of pending war in the Pacific. As life would have it, Pvt. Hansen volunteered at Fort Shafter Golf Course hammering nails during his off-duty hours.

Local historian Jessia Higa shared stories of 1st Lt. William Sylvester, Sgt. Henry, Blackwell, Sgt. Warren Rasmussen, and Cpl. Clyde Brown who were amongst the first killed in action during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Staff Sgt. George Blake’s family from Illinois attended the ceremony virtually along with Pam Self who previously assisted Blake in virtually attending the Coastal Artillery Remembrance Ceremony over the years at the Veterans Community Living Center in Colorado.

The 94th AAMDC continues to honor those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms all Americans enjoy today.