GULFPORT, Miss. - On Dec. 7, 1941, the Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) Naval Base was surprise- attacked by Japanese aircraft bringing America into WWII in the Pacific. On the 81st anniversary of the attacks, Pearl Harbor survivor 104-year-old Frank Emond traveled from Pensacola, Fla., to visit with service members at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport. He reflected on his experiences during the attack, where he was on deck of the USS Pennsylvania's just before morning colors. The former sailor-musician's message was to always be prepared to respond and persevere through difficult times. “It’s not a time to look at the damage or start to worry about what the problems are, but you need to start thinking of how to fix things up so it will be together again,” Emond said. Emond doesn’t know any other Pearl Harbor survivors still living, but it motivates him to continue speaking out. The young sailors on based lined up to meet Emond saying they were inspired by his story. NCBC Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Powell led the ceremony honoring Emond. “To be able to connect our 18,19, 20-year-olds with somebody who was their age 80 years ago on that faithful day is special,” Powell said. (WLOX 12/07/22) Following Pearl Harbor, Emond went on to a long career as a Medical Service Cortps officer in the Navy and served as a Red Cross volunteer for more than a decade at Naval Hospital Pensacola.
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