Bay County-Pearl Harbor
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Updated: 1:17 AM Dec 8, 2009
Bay County-Pearl Harbor
68-years ago this Monday, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, pulling us into World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt called it "the day that will live in infamy".
Posted: 1:17 AM Dec 8, 2009
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SPRINGFIELD-Three different men, with three very different lives, but the attack on pearl harbor on December 7, 1941 is an experience these three survivors will always share.

One of the three Bay County survivors, Newton Brooks, says he was standing outside the radio room when the Japanese first attacked.

His daughter says he looked two Japanese pilots in the eyes before running back inside the room where he was the first to broadcast the fatal attack.

"He sent out the message that the Japs are attacking Pearl and this is no drill," says Brook's daughter Evelyn Wiley.

Wiley's children say they couldn't be more proud of their grandfather's bravery.

"He was pretty important I think," says Brook's grandson Duncan Wiley.

"He also helped transmit the terms of surrender at the end the end of World War II," says Brooks other grandson Brook Wiley.

But the boy's mom says Monday's Pearl Harbor ceremony at the Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans' Home in Springfield isn't just about her dad.

"I am so happy to be here and not only honor the Pearl Harbor survivors, but all the men here in the nursing home they are all heroes," says Evelyn Wiley.

This ceremony was a joint effort by Arnold High School's Navy JROTC program and the the Naval Support Activity Panama City.

"It's the day a nation woke up and a day a nation pulled together in order to bring about victory and freedom for all across the world and not just ourselves," says the commander of Naval Support Activity PC Jessica M. Pfefferkorn.

Not only were Bay County's three survivor's honored on Monday, but so were family members and widows of other Pearl Harbor victims.

"I think it was great and I appreciate that everyone pitched in and gave a wonderful ceremony," says Pearl Harbor Survivor Steve Rula.

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