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Pearl Harbor remembered at Del Rio’s G.I. Forum

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Blake Mize
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  One of the most famous and dreary days in the history of the United States was honored at Del Rio's G.I. Forum Dec. 7.

Veterans, active duty military members and supporters of the U.S. military, including Del Rio's mayor, Efrain Valdez, were in attendance to show their support and to remember the lives lost during the attacks at Pearl Harbor on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941 that brought the United States into World War II.

Capt. Ian Dinesen, 47th Security Forces commander, was the key note speaker for the event.

"On that fateful morning, during that horrific span of time, etched as one of the darkest periods in American history, rests a silver lining," said Capt. Dinesen. "It is the manifestation of the American spirit, the drive to fight on after being punched square in the nose, the will to resurrect and win the war following the most tragic of times that most Americans remember most about Pearl Harbor".

In his speech, Capt Dinesen told stories that seemed to capture the essence of that fateful day. One such story was of the commander of the USS Vestal, Commander Cassin Young. When Cmdr. Young saw that the men who were manning one the ship's guns had perished, he took over the gun himself and opened fire. Eventually, Cmdr. Young was blown overboard, yet maintained the resiliency to climb back aboard the USS Vestal and guide the ship to shore to assure she was able to fight another day.

Capt. Dinesen also told of Airmen he has served with during Operation Iraqi Freedom that he said exemplify the American spirit that was preserved followed the hostile actions at Pearl Harbor.

While then Airman 1st Class Jeremy Birchfield was manning a 50-caliber machine gun at an Iraqi Police station in 2006, he was engaged by a sniper, said Capt. Dinesen. Luckily, the bullet that was intended for Airman Birchfield's head instead struck the barrel of his gun and fragmented. Although the fragments of the bullet lodged in his leg, Airman Birchfield survived and was able to alert his comrades of the sniper and safely clear the area.

Capt. Dinesen said the heroic Airman is now Staff Sgt. Birchfield.

"He has reenlisted into the U.S. Air Force, fully dedicating his life to protect and enhance that spirit that was forged so many years ago at Pearl Harbor," said Capt. Dinesen.
Laughlin's Honor Guard presented the colors for the event and the San Felipe Del Rio Veterans Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute following the ceremony.

"The memory of Pearl Harbor must live on. The nine ships of the US fleet that were sunk, three others that were irreparable; the 1,178 that were injured; the 2,335 military and 68 civilians that lost their lives, including the 1,177 still entombed in the USS Arizona. Having been stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, I have had the opportunity and honor to pay my respects at the Arizona Memorial, where one can still witness the oil seep from deep in the ship's broken hull to the eerily calm surface of the water," said Capt. Dinesen. "It is moments like that which should make us remember the American spirit".