Pearl Harbor families recognized in Norwich remembrance ceremony
Many people from in and around Norwich gathered at Norwich City Hall Thursday to remember the attack that brought the U.S. into World War II.
The Norwich Area Veterans Council held a Pearl Harbor Remembrance, marking 82 years since that “date which will live in infamy.” Two sailors from Norwich, Harry Carlson and Michael Quarto, were stationed on the USS Arizona and were among the 2,403 Americans who died in the attack.
The ceremony started with the future submariners of the new U.S.S. Arizona, a submarine under construction at Electric Boat, and a procession of the color guard. Then, Norwich Area Veteran’s Council President John Waggoner gave a prayer and spoke, and Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom and Captain Jason Deichler spoke. The families of Carlson and Quarto were also given flowers. A roll of all 17 servicemen who were from Connecticut that died that day was read, and a bell rang with each name.
During the ceremony, Tom Callinan, the first Connecticut State Troubadour, played the Star-Spangled Banner and Remember Pearl Harbor on guitar, and closed the ceremony playing Taps on a pennywhistle, as it would’ve been too loud to play a trumpet inside.
Even though the Pearl Harbor attack happened over 80 years ago, it says a lot about Norwich that they continue to honor it and the residents who died during it, Deichler said.
“They truly do love their servicemen and servicewomen,” he said.
The new U.S.S. Arizona is expected to be ready in the next five years. During the ceremony, Deichler addressed the future submarine crew in attendance, who are continuing the older ship’s legacy. He reminded them to have the same courage that Carlson and Quarto had, and to never forget that “America is the world’s beacon of hope and integrity.”
Rozann Valenti, a niece of Quarto, is honored that the city still keeps her uncle’s memory alive. She also thought it was important to include the future sailors of the submarine U.S.S Arizona in the ceremony.
“When I look at them, that’s probably how old the crew on the Arizona was,” she said.
Naomi Crowley, a niece of Carlson, said this year's ceremony was more poignant, as her eldest son died in the spring. She wants people to value their lives, and their family.
“We have to value every moment,” she said.
Crowley mentioned that if she were born a boy, she would’ve been also named Harry in honor of her uncle, even though she isn’t a fan of the name ordinarily.
“It still would have been an honor to have his name,” she said.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Pearl Harbor families recognized in Norwich remembrance ceremony
