December 8th Chicago Tribune "Pearl Harbor survivors recall horror" by Cynthia Dizikes.
Ralph Laedtke was a pharmacist's mate third class on the medical support vessel USS Solace when the attack found him. "I scrambled up the ladder and I saw bombs and ships exploding and smoke belching into the sky."
The 89-year-old resident of Grayslake and eight other Pearl Harbor survivors met Monday on Chicago's Navy Pier on the 69th anniversary of the attack. More than 300 others attended the ceremony which included bell-ringing in honor of the seven Chicagoans who died on the Arizona.
Ambrose Ferri, 91, a Navy petty officer third class on the repair vessel USS Vestal moored next to the Arizona said he cheated death that day. A friend had invited him to attend a breakfast that morning, but he declined because he wanted to sleep in. His friend died when the Japanese bombed Merry Point Landing. Personally, I think being next to the Arizona when the explosion occurred would have been quite frightening all by itself.
A wreath was again thrown into Lake Michigan honoring those who died that day.
Jack Barry, Sr., chairman of the Illinois PH Survivors Association said, "Our ranks are thinning out, time is against us. There is a day when there will be none of us left, but we will be remembered."
The Greatest Generation.
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