GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- On the morning of Dec. 7, 2017, Goodfellow Air Force Base began the day with snow flurries and a gloomy sky reflecting the somber events leading to the U.S. involvement in World War II.
The Navy Center for Information Warfare Training Detachment Goodfellow held their Remembrance Day ceremony, led by Petty Officer First Class Asia Foster, CIWT Goodfellow instructor, in honor of the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The morning’s events held at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, home to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Detachment at Goodfellow, commenced with opening words by Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Allen, CIWT Goodfellow officer in charge.
Allen addressed the significance of the historic attack on Pearl Harbor as the event that finally truly united America.
“This attack was the catalyst thrusting us into war,” said Allen. “It was a day that spurred the average citizen into exhibiting a greater sense of patriotism and support for the nation as we joined the war to end all wars.”
The ceremony’s guest speaker, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in San Angelo, retired Lt. Col. John Muckleroy, recalled the morning of the Day that will live in infamy.
The ceremony was a joint service affair with all branches represented in the audience. Students from both intelligence and fire schools attended as well as delayed entry program Navy recruits from the local San Angelo recruiting station. One DEP recruit stated it was eye opening to hear about prior service member’s experiences from when they served and it makes them proud to have joined the Navy.