|
 Gossett was the key speaker at a special service of remembrance
hosted by Lincoln College at the Lincoln Center in the atrium just
outside the Lincoln Heritage Museum.
The day began with Museum Director Tom McLaughlin welcoming guests.
He then called for the presentation of colors by the Lincoln
American Legion Color Guard, while the college’s Assistant Professor
of Vocal Music Laurie Lewis-Fitz sang the Star Spangled Banner.
College President Dr. David Gerlach read excerpts from a book
written specifically about Pearl Harbor. His readings recounted the
actions of three soldiers as they reacted to the devastation around
them. They feared not for their own lives as they rushed to help
others, and ultimately saved many who would have otherwise perished.
Gerlach spoke of the three men saying they were college-aged.
Doris Miller, known as Dorie, was collecting the laundry on his
ship. When the alarm sounded, he rushed to his battle station but
was soon called to the bridge to assist in carrying out the wounded.
He then took a position to fight back against the horrible attack.
When the attack was over, Miller resumed his quest to help those who
were wounded. Miller later lost his life in this same war in 1943.
James Richard Ward and Francis Flaherty were stationed on the
Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor. The men were ready to enter the battle.
The ship had been hit hard and was capsizing. There were many
soldiers trapped, and it was Flaherty who called for volunteers to
help him help others escape. It was James Richard Ward who stepped
up, and the two worked together to get soldiers out of the capsized
ship saving many lives.
On the day after the terrible attack, Gerlach said that
then-President Franklin Roosevelt spoke saying “Yesterday, December
7, 1941, a date that will live in infamy.” Gerlach ended saying,
“Let us never forget the sacrifice of those individuals and those
who continue to this day.”
Gossett was the closing speaker. He, as a World War II veteran
remembers December 7th, other significant dates throughout the
history of that War, as well as throughout the history of our
County. He named off several of those dates, including September 11,
2001, when American soil was once again the scene of a vicious
attack.
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 He said that December 7th, of all the dates, was a
premier date because it instantly changed the lives of all
Americans. He noted that college careers were interrupted, jobs were
disrupted, and the way we did business changed. Women filled-in in
factories for men who were off to war, and rationing was commonplace
for consumer goods.
Gossett remembers that day saying that though some might find it
hard to believe, he was on the campus of the University of Illinois,
attending a classical music concert when it was announced that the
Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. He also remembers a few days
later, sitting in a car on the downtown square with a good friend,
who announced he was going to join the military. Gossett said he too
knew he would join the forces, but didn’t know where. He eventually
decided on the Army Air Corp.
Gossett recalled the words of the recruiting officer, who on the day
he took his oath to serve his country said, “Well son, you are ours
now.”
Gossett also remembered the families who stood watch at home. He
talked about the colored stars that graced the windows of American
homes, indicators that a man from the family was off to war. He then
recalled the gold stars that symbolized that a soldier of that
family had lost his life in the war.
He recalled the Iowa family who had five gold stars, five sons lost
all at once, in one attack, and contemplated how that was a
devastating blow for a family.
He concluded saying, “Never forget December 7, 1941, it was a day in
infamy.”
When Gossett had finished, McLaughlin returned to the podium and
announced that Lincoln College music student Allie Miller would
close the program with the playing of “Taps” as the color guard was
dismissed.
 In the audience, there were many who became emotional with the
playing of the sad song. It opened a door, a common thread for all
Americans, showing that those days, now seemingly long ago to some,
and more than a lifetime away for many others, still has an impact
on our hearts. That song, that war, signifies who we are in hard
times and why we are still the greatest country in the world. It is
not because of financial wealth, or what we make and sell, or what
political stand we may take. We are the greatest because we are a
people with strength, courage, and strong character, ready to stand,
defend, and sacrifice for the land we call home. That was true in
1941, it was true in 2001 and all points in between, and it is true
today.
[Nila Smith] |
