Political Quotes

“today marks the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was during that fateful event that more than 2,400 American lives were lost and another 1,100 were wounded. While that day took a tragic toll, heroes were made of those who rushed to action. I wish to honor the life and memory of one such Pearl Harbor hero who went on to serve his country for an additional 20 years after that day. That man is Harold John Shimer, who passed away on October 30, 2016, at the age of 97 in Anacortes, WA. Mr. Shimer was born on February 12, 1919, in Wurstboro, NY, the son of Harold and Irma Shimer. He attended schools in Wurstboro and Middleton, NY, and enjoyed working with his father on their 640-acre dairy farm. After graduating high school, Mr. Shimer joined the U.S. Navy. Mr. Shimer had begun his naval career as a storekeeper third class aboard the newly commissioned USS Helena, where the ship's first assignment was as neutrality patrol in South America, protecting Uruguay and Argentina prior to the United States' entrance into World War II. Mr. Shimer had the very unique and rare account of watching the famous German Graf Spee warship and its captain, which had sunk nine merchant ships, scuttle itself after being pursued by English warships. The USS Helena was assigned to the Pacific, where it was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It was hit by a Japanese torpedo and lost 23 men. Mr.…”