Arkansas veterans reflect on the meaning of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
By Abner Sosa
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ROGERS, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day serves as a moment to honor the more than 2,400 Americans killed in the 1941 attack that thrust the United States into World War II. Local veterans say the lessons of that day and the sacrifices made continue to shape their lives and their service.
At VFW Post 3031 in Benton County, Navy veteran and post commander Jerry Tobey reflected on why the anniversary still weighs heavily on service members. For Tobey, the attack remains a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change.
“Pearl Harbor. It was one of the biggest losses in Navy history that we lost. The memorial for the Arizona will never be forgiven. The Navy will never forget that one day,” Tobey said.
Tobey served on ships across all four oceans and spent years on alert in the Persian Gulf. Tobey said the attack on Pearl Harbor changed the way every service member approaches danger.
“That’s why 99 percent of the military is always on alert after Pearl Harbor. That’s why the bases are always on alert now,” Tobey said.
For many veterans, the end of service does not mean the end of vigilance. Tobey said that is why finding a place where he feels secure matters. For Tobey, that place is the VFW.
“This is home. And I feel safe here. I always will in this place. I got my buddy Al, Jesse and my family,” Tobey said.
Across the room, Army veteran Albert Al Butler has made the post home as well. Butler enlisted the day after his 17th birthday, spent 11 years in uniform and served a year in Vietnam. Now retired, Butler said the VFW provides community and familiarity.
“I have been coming here for 15 or 16 years. I am up here just about every day. I have had several positions at the post, and it is home,” Butler said.
On this Pearl Harbor anniversary, Butler said remembering history is essential to preventing it from repeating.
“If you do not remember your history, it is going to repeat itself. If there is a conflict and you know about it, do not forget it. And like I say, history will repeat if we do not remember and take steps to avoid getting into the same circumstance,” Butler said.
For both Tobey and Butler, the remembrance is about sacrifice, vigilance and the families, military and otherwise, who continue to keep them grounded long after their service ends.
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