Today Charlotte Rotary remembered Pearl Harbor, fifty-eight years after the event which made December 7, 1941, a "day of infamy" for every American who lived through it.
     Pearl Harbor was a "defining day for the character of our nation," said Richard Bailey, lead planner of the observance. [t united the country and galvanized men and women to great effort during and after World War II. Out of that group of leaders and enlisted men came "the greatest generation."
     Ty Boyd, special master of ceremonies for the day, (and a former Rotarian and ex-sailor in the U.S. Navy), reminded us of the attack which began at 7:55 a.m. that Sunday morning when the first wave of 360 Japanese warplanes bombed, strafed and torpedoed the U.S. Pacific Fleet and adjacent airfields. By day's end the toll included seven battleships sunk or damaged, three cruisers, three destroyers and 180 aircraft parked on Ford Island, Hickam and Wheeler fields, with casualties over 3400, including more than 2300 dead. Boyd, only ten years old at the time, still remembers the national unity and respect for the flag which followed and has endured a lifetime.
     At 12:55 EST (7:55 a.m. Pacific Time) the program switched to a videoconference (arranged by BellSouth's Randy Austin) connecting us directly to Commodore Jeff Fowler in the very Pearl Harbor office from which Admiral H. Kimmel viewed the destruction in 1941. Fowler, first skipper of USS Charlotte, greeted the club with "aloha" and expressed thanks for the observance, an important reminder to younger generations of lessons from the past.
     He then transmitted a videotape, recorded on December 1, with messages from current members of the USS Charlotte crew, including Captain Tanaka and three sailors from North Carolina as they prepared to cast off for a six-month Pacific mission, not due back in port until Memorial Day, 2000.
     Fowler, head of SUBPAC SQUADRON 3. then stressed the inherent danger of life at sea, especially life under the sea, The U.S. lost 52 of its 288 submarine fleet during WWII. By deploying subs like the Charlotte throughout the Pacific today, the Navy seeks to prevent new "Pearl Harbor" surprises. Observing the anniversary is important. It helps recruit new sailors from Charlotte and North Dakota, Fowler's home state. After reviewing activities scheduled for the day in Hawaii, including his ten-year-old daughter's birthday celebration, he assured Rotarians of his crew's excellent quality and training, of their readiness for Y2K, and he sent greetings for the holidays and New Year.
     Lynn Wheeler, former Mayor Pro Tem, paid tribute to defense forces, past and present, who do not know their hour of peril, and read a proclamation from Mayor Patrick McCrory naming December 7, 1999, PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY, in honor of those who suffered at the time and those who survive to the present.
     Individual survivors of Pearl Harbor, who with their families were special guests of the club, were then called forward and presented copies of the mayor's proclamation by President Worth and Barry Miller. They were Ernest Bonner of Huntersville, Joseph Carpenter of Gastonia, Allen Christenbury of Charlotte, Charles Conley of Huntersville, Henry Garthwohl of Charlotte, Joe Grice of Lincolnton, Oliver Thompson (President of Submarine Veterans from WWII), and Joe Leonard of Lincolnton. These veterans and their families then received an extended standing ovation.
     Allen Christenbury of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (Motto: Remember Pearl Harbor and Keep the Nation Alert) then told a personal story. On each anniversary he wears a cap which tells of his being at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Last year, while driving with cap on, he was pulled over by a police officer. Why? he wondered. When the officer came to his window he shook Christenbury's hand, saying "Thanks for being at Pearl Harbor." The officer was the only person that day to notice and respond to the message on the cap. It meant a lot to Christenbury!
     President Worth began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance as the Joint Navy/Marine Color Guard, commanded by Ed Gallerin, posted the colors. He also announced that a slate of nominees for vacancies on the board of directors will be presented at the next meeting. Katie Tyler introduced guests and visiting Ro-tarians. Price Gwynn offered the invocation.
     In addition to program participants, the head table included several who deserve appreciation for bringing together the people and technology that made this moving observance possible, particularly Barry Miller and Bob Freedman (BellSouth). They, in turn, wish to thank the media (TV and print) for their attention to the occasion, and the Mayor's and City Manager's office for their cooperation.

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In Memoriam

JAMES   E. GRAHAM, JR.

      A deer and an antelope were out on the range munching grass when the deer looked up to see a cloud of dust headed his way. It got closer and closer until the cloud came right up to where he stood.
     A buffalo appeared from the cloud, walked up to the deer and whispered, "You're about the ugliest, mangiest, sorriest excuse for a ruminant I've ever seen." With that, the buffalo whirled around and charged back onto the range.
     The antelope wandered over and inquired, "What was that all about?" To which the deer replied, "I think I just heard a discouraging word."

     A Charlotte native, he graduated from Central High School, Lees McRae College and the Medical College of Virginia. He joined the Navy as a Lt.j.g. and served in World War II. Following the war he remained in the Naval Reserve, retiring as a Captain in the Dental Corps.

     Jim practiced dentistry in Charlotte for 44 years. He served as president of the Charlotte Dental Society, the Fifth District of the N.C. Dental Society and the N.C. State Board of Dental Examiners. He was a member of the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration, the American Dental Association and a fellow in the American College of Dentists. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and sang in the Adult Choir.

     Jim joined Charlotte Rotary in 1983 and resigned in 1998, an error, he said, that was corrected recently when he rejoined the club in May. He was known for his wit and sense of humor and as a member of the Club's Good Ole Boy Choir.

     Jim is survived by his wife Betty Dehn of Michigan whom he met in Bagnoli, Italy, during the war. In addition to Betty, he is survived by five children, six grandchildren and a brother. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

     The Club will make a contribution to our Student Scholarship Fund in Jim's memory.

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JEFFRIES RECOVERING

     Jeff Jeffries is recovering from leg amputation that occurred just before Thanksgiving. His wife reports that his spirits are pretty good and he is improving but he has a long way to go. Jeff appreciates your thoughts and prayers. Anyone wishing to send a card to cheer him can mail it to Beverly Health Care Renaissance, 300 Providence Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28207.

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POWELL'S
OBSERVATIONS

POWELL MAJORS

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