Unfortunately for the PHSA, it was incorporated in Missouri and has a lot of paperwork to do because of its tax-exempt status. It is also a Veterans Affair service organization. These old veterans are just too old to do all this anymore.
There are now fewer than 3,000 members world-wide and the number of state chapters are dwindling. When it started in 1958, there were 80,000 survivors eligible for membership. In the 1960s, that number dropped to the 20,000s
There are about thirty members in Hawaii. Everett Hyland, 87, who was wounded on the USS Pennsylvania, and Ray Emory are the only two members who were on ships that fateful day. He said that 8-10 show up for meetings every third Thursday.
A vote on closing it down was expected on December 6th.
Two hundred PHSA members are expected for the 69th anniversary, up from 40 last year. Along with family members, that number rises to 1000.
Part of the reason for the large turnout this year also is the dedication of the new $56 million USS Arizona visitor center and museum which will enable the story of Pearl Harbor to be better told and in more detail than before.
Again, here's hoping the organization continues until the last man standing.
The Greatest Generation. --DaCoot
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