Twin City native killed at Pearl Harbor to be honored tomorrow
UHRICHSVILLE (WJER) (Dec. 6, 2023) – There’s a memorial ceremony at Uhrichsville City Park tomorrow morning for the city native killed at Pearl Harbor.
Big Bend Golf Course owner Cathy Cottis organizes the yearly tribute to Ensign James Haverfield, carrying on the tradition the late Mary Lee McClave established more than two decades ago.
“After the attack on the Twin Towers, she started this ceremony and so it gives me great pleasure and honor and I’m very humbled to be able to do that when she asked me to take that over.”
The ceremony featuring musical performances, a wreath laying, and a military salute always begins at exactly 7:55 am, the time the first bombs fell on the harbor, and concludes about 20 minutes later with the playing of TAPs. Cottis thanks everyone who helps make sure the sacrifice Haverfield and so many others made that fateful day 82 years ago is never forgotten.
“Bob Michels has been our emcee for a number of years… A guy that helps me every year, his name is Troy Akins. When people are gathering before the ceremony starts he has a wonderful program of patriotic music he provides, and I’m just so appreciative to him and all of the people who tell me yes.”
A couple of sailors who served aboard the now-decommissioned warship named in Haverfield’s honor are traveling to his hometown to participate in this year’s ceremony.
“We have two that are coming: Mr. [Roger] Bobby from Michigan and Mr. [Don] Swift from Indiana.”
Cottis is inviting everyone to the golf course afterward for a reception and time of fellowship.