Evening star., 1947-12-08
Capital Remembers
Pearl Harbor Day
With Many Services

i =
terday, the first December to fall
on Sunday since 1871, to honor
those who lost their lives In the
japanese sneak attack on Pearl
Harbor six years ago.
In churches and cemeteries Of
the District area. crowds gathered
to pay tribute to those American
heroes at memorial services.
At Arlington Cemetery. during
services held there by the American
Veterans Of World War II, plane
swooped out of the gray skies to
scatter flowers on the graves of
the first 20 recorded victims of the
Pearl Harbor attack.
The service, one of many con-
Quoted by the Amvets throughout
the country, heard speakers urge
that America never again be caught
unprepared.
Would Maintain Strength.
I'm memory of those who gave
their lives because OF our unpre-
paredness when World War II COM
menced," Edgar C. Cory, jr., leader
of the organization, declared, "let
us renew our efforts to keep Amer
lea strong and at peak which
will cause any would-be aggressor
to think more than twice about
launching a future conflict"
Army, Navy and Marine Corps
leaders and veterans were present at
the Arlington Cemetery services.
Two Pearl Harbor day statements
by heads Of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars and the American Legion also
urged preparedness programs as
means Of preventing q similar catas-
trophe in the future.
"On this sixth anniversary DEM
onstrating what damage can be done
by an enemy striking an unprepared
nation in stealth, we are dedicated
to policy of military preparedness"
Comdr. Ray H. Brannaman OF the
VIEW declared. -.....
War Threat Seen Increasing.
Comdr. James F. O'Neil of the
American Legion asserted "a strong
America means a stronger bid for
the preservation of peace" He de-
clared "the possibility of World War
III has increased in direct ratio to
the decline of Americas armed
strength. Universal military train
Ing affords the only feasible, eco
nomical and democratic way Of re-
trieving and maintaining that
strength"
Worshippers at Washington Cathe-
dral said special memorial prayers
for those who died six years ago
yesterday at Pearl Harbor. The
Right Rev. Angus Dun, Bishop OF
Washington, and the Very Rev.
John Wallace Suter, dean Of the
Cathedral, preached at the morn
ing and afternoon services, respec-
lively.
Memorial services were held in
st. Francis Xavier Catholic Church,
Twenty eighth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue Sc, by District Post
II, Irish War Veterans.
Union Rites Held.
Among District churches holding
memorial services were st. Johns
Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square,
Chevy Chase Methodist Church
and Mount Vernon Place Metho-
dist Church. Baptists of the WASH
ington Highlands area held union
memorial service in the Atlantic
Theater, 81 Atlantic, street S.W.
Representative Davis, Democrat, Of
Georgia spoke.
A Catholic War Veterans Of Wash
ington honor guard, commanded
by 1t. Archie E. Brand Of Capitol
Heights, Nd, attended Pearl
Harbor memorial service In Rich
mond yesterday. fs
Victory medals will be distributed
each day this week to Q pm. to
veterans bringing discharge papers
to the District American Legion
Clubhouse, 2437 Fifteenth street
NV, and at a meeting at Sis pm.
tomorrow of the Evans F. Carlson
Chapter, American Veterans Com
mittee, at the Petworth Library,
Georgia avenue and Upshur street
NV.
Papers Must Be In Hand.
Owen c.. Holleran, District de-
partment commander of the Legion,
emphasized that veterans must pre-
sent discharge certificates if they
wish to receive the medals.
Mr.. Holleran said several vet
Grams could not be given medals
yesterday because they failed to
bring their discharge papers. He
reported that more than 200 medals
were distributed yesterday.