By Cassie Lennox

“December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy.” And 76 years later, it is still remembered by Americans, as it marks the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombing.

These words are from a speech by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After a brief but powerful speech, he asked Congress to approve a resolution recognizing the state of war between the United States and Japan.

The Senate unanimously voted for war against Japan, 82 to 0. The House of Representatives approved the resolution by vote of 388 to 1. Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and thus the countries were drawn into World War II.

Only a handful of Pearl Harbor survivors remain, one of which is Stevens Point’s own Will Lehner, who spoke to Pacelli Catholic High School (PCHS) students Thursday, Dec. 7, about his experiences that day.

“Seventy-six years ago today, I was in Pearl Harbor,” he said to the auditorium, as students sat forward in their chairs, hanging on his every word.

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