Remember Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Day

December 7,1941 is a date in history we shall never forget.

Just before 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the American military naval facilities were attacked by hundreds of Japanese fighter plans.

More than 2,400 Americans died including another 1,000 civilians were wounded. President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan.

The American military leaders were not expecting an attack so close to home and were relatively undefended.

The USS Arizona exploded and more than 1,000 men were trapped inside the ship which sank. Less than two hours the attack was over.

Four years later a horrible war ended on Aug. 14, 1945 VJ Day. This is why we remember Dec. 7 as Pearl Harbor Day.

MUSIC POSTPONED

Due to the snow, rain, cold temperatures the UVA Wise Jazz Ensemble scheduled at ACAC had to be postponed last Monday. If possible it will be rescheduled for Monday, Dec. 9. We are not sure at this time but we will get the word out by Facebook and other means when the date is confirmed.

PARADE

Remember our Christmas parades this week. Big Stone Gap’s parade is Thursday, Dec. 5, Appalachia’s parade is Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Weather is going to be better, I hope!

CATO’S CLOSING

I learned this week another sad happening, Cato’s is going out of business! This means another business in the old Walmart shopping center in Big Stone. Our economy is bad!

VISIT LAURELS

Gary and I visited The Laurels on Sunday. We decorated Nancy Buchanan’s room for the upcoming Christmas holiday. Nancy was pleased with the trees and wreaths.

BIRTHDAYS

Susie Richardson will celebrate her 62nd birthday Saturday, Dec. 7. We wish Susie a happy blessed birthday. She has had a rough year with her health but she is a fighter. Everyone loves Susie.

We wish Jack Lewis a happy birthday on Sunday, Dec. 8.

On Dec. 10 our good friend and the man who gets things done in Appalachia, Mike Clifton is celebrating a birthday. I remember when Mike was born to Vickie and Mike Clifton in Inman. Don’t remember the year or how old he is but he is certainly a very valuable man to our town. Happy birthday Mike!

Happy birthday on Dec. 10 to our friend Dewey Davis a former Inman boy.

Susan Barnett has a birthday celebration on Dec. 12. Susan has several hats to wear for the town of Appalachia, council woman, chairperson for Moving Appalachia Forward, wife to her husband Mike. Baby sister to her brothers and sister. Lots of friends wish her a happy birthday!

ANNIVERSARY

Don and Barbara Rutherford are celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary on December 12. Happy anniversary to a great couple!

THANKSGIVING

Our Thanksgiving was very good. Our daughter Sabrina and her husband from Georgia were with us a few days and our son Shawn and his wife and three children were with us for our traditional meal. So much to be thankful for.

christmas memories

Now December is here and growing up we had our “part” in the Christmas play at our little church on the hill in Inman. We learned the story of Jesus’ birthday. No matter what day of the week Christmas came on we had our program on Christmas Eve first before we had our family Christmas at our home. I miss those Christmas Eve gatherings at church and watching the children perform in a play. I have good memories of growing up in Inman and our church family.