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Aurora memorial luncheon honors Pearl Harbor heroes

On Dec. 7, 1941, 2,335 U.S. military personnel were killed in a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Thursday, Dec. 7, Americans marked the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor heroes and a survivor from Elgin were honored at the 48th annual memorial luncheon Monday at Gaslite Manor Banquets in Aurora.

The event was co-sponsored by Aurora Rotary Club and Aurora Council 247, Navy League of the U.S.

Cadets of East Aurora High School's Naval Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps presented the colors. Cadet Jennifer Rojas sang the national anthem and NJROTC master chief George Allen gave the invocation.

Elgin resident Everitt Schlegel, 98, was the lone Pearl Harbor survivor honored at the luncheon. He was stationed at the Army's Schofield barracks when the attack occurred.

Zion resident Joe Triolo, who was aboard the USS Tangier on Dec. 7, 1941, was not able to attend Monday's event due to doctor's orders said Col. Richard Todas, retired, program emcee and president, Aurora Navy League council.

Keynote speaker was Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau (retired), president of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

George Ball, Aurora Rotary president, announced 31st annual Ted Brattin Civic Youth Awards.

Presented recognition certificates and $100 scholarships were Morgan Breen, Neuqua Valley High School; Sebastian Chiu, East Aurora; Nathan Cotter, Waubonsie Valley; Austin Flanagan, Marmion Academy: Ethan Irvin, Yorkville; Lupita Lopez, Yorkville; Mary Catherine May, Aurora Central Catholic; Camryn Streid, Rosary; Christian Walls, West Aurora; and Felix Zheng, Naperville North.

World War II veterans were recognized at the luncheon. They included Dick Miller of Aurora, a sailor aboard the USS Drexler, a destroyer which was sunk off Okinawa on May 28, 1945, after being hit by two kamikaze planes.

Group singing of the Navy hymn closed the memorial.

West Aurora High School student Christian Walls, right, receives a Ted Brattin Civic Youth Award certificate at the 48th annual memorial luncheon at Gaslite Manor Banquets in Aurora Dec. 4. Background is George Ball, Aurora Rotary Club president, who announced awards. Courtesy of Al Benson
Elgin resident Everitt Schlegel, right, is the lone Pearl Harbor attack survivor honored at the 48th annual memorial luncheon. Left is Dick Miller of Aurora, a sailor aboard the USS Drexler when the destroyer was sunk off Okinawa on May 28, 1945, after being hit by two kamikaze planes. Courtesy of Al Benson
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