As we commemorate Veterans Day this month, one very special group is looking to pass the torch to the next generation of veterans.
President of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Jim Stansell, told those gathered Oct. 16 for the group’s monthly meeting that it is time to think about how the group is to continue.
“World War II veterans are fading away,” he said. “Inevitably, we’ll have to pass the torch, so I’m asking everybody if you know a Korean or Vietnam veteran, bring them in and we’ll make them members. If you know any veteran, for that matter, we’ll take ‘em.”
The Mount Vernon group, with six survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, is thought to be the last active chapter of the association in the country. Surviving spouses, children and other relatives are able to hold an associate membership in the group, so the chapter is a healthy one.
It is clear these six men are the driving force of the organization. The camaraderie among them is obvious, as they grasp a survivor’s shoulder while pausing to speak to each other, or give one another a friendly pat on the back. They are brothers bound by a common experience, the course of their lives forever altered by the events of Dec. 7, 1941.
Their pride in the role they played in history is also obvious and they are willing to share their stories, not in arrogance, but in the sincere interest of sharing the memory of shipmates lost and lessons learned.
“It taught me to grow up,” said Harold Johnson, who was 17 at the time of the attack.
“I think the war proved this country will never get caught short again,” said new group member Robert Brower of Bellingham, who served on a Navy tug.
Anthony Nady was five decks below on the USS Nevada that day.
“The bombs went off forward of me and I felt the torpedo hit behind me,” he said. Asleep in the main air compressor room because it was cooler, he was awakened by the explosion and quickly went to his battle station.
“I was down below in the forward air compressor room pumping air into the anti-aircraft guns,” he said. “Four hours later we were ordered to leave our post and when we got to deck three, the water was to my knees.”
Now 93, Nady is quick with a joke and a smile, but said he “can’t do without” the other men in the group.
Harold Shimer was a Storekeeper 3rd class on board the USS Helena, a light cruiser equipped with the latest guns. The first Japanese plane was sighted at 7:57 a.m. and the Helena began firing back at 8:01 a.m.
“It was a superhuman effort,” Shimer said. “We emptied the ammunition locker in less than two hours.”
The memories of that day have stayed with survivors and they can recall even small details clearly. But unpleasant memories remain just as vivid.
“He still had nightmares,” said Gayle Vyskocil, whose late husband, Lt. Cmdr. James Vyskocil, was in the signal tower during the attack. He later was part of the recovery team, helping to collect the dead from the water of Pearl Harbor. The association was extremely important to him.
“He loved this group and he truly enjoyed these people,” she said.
“There is so much history here in this room,” said Pat Nelles, daughter of the late Ernie Vance. “I’m truly honored to be here.”
“This group has brought new meaning to my life,” said Stansell, who has been its president for 14 years. “I’m proud of being a Pearl Harbor survivor.”
“We’re brothers,” said Cecil Calavan, who, at 87, is the youngest survivor of the group. “And I love it because they’re all older than me.”
Good natured jokes aside, group members are serious about keeping the organization going.
“We still have things to do,” Stansell said. “We’ve got a good thing going here and I hope we get somebody to pass it on to.”
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association meets at 11 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Farmhouse Restaurant, 13724 La Conner Whitney Road, Mount Vernon.
