Tuesday marks the grim anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii. It will be 80 years to the day when Japanese forces carried out a surprise attack on the naval base on Oahu, resulting in the death of over 2,400 Americans. Hours later, the United States found itself entrenched in World War II.
Pearl Harbor was to the Greatest Generation what September 11th is to older Millennials. Where one was when the news broke is a vivid memory that resonates years and decades later. On Tuesday, Marquette will welcome Wendy Minniear Masters to campus to hear her recollection of the day that has lived in infamy.
Masters, who resides in Valparaiso, is one of only a dozen or so Indiana members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association still alive. She’s toured the Region in recent years to tell the unforgettable story of what her family went through - particularly her father, Navy Ensign Carl Minniear, her mother, and six-week-old sister - on December 7th, 1941 and the years to follow.
Masters will speak to classes in the Rudy Hart Theatre from 11:15 am - 11:57 am and from 12:33 pm - 1:15 pm.
“It’s such an honor to welcome Wendy to our campus on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Her story is fascinating, and I’m sure it will be an experience our students will remember for a long time,” social studies instructor and organizer Leslie Root said.
Marquette, which was designated an Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Purple Star School last month for its recognition of service members and their families, will also conduct its annual check presentation to Folds of Honor during the week of December 13th. More information on that event will be forthcoming.
