Bannock County residents remember, honor those who died during Pearl Harbor attack on anniversary

POCATELLO — On the 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Bannock County residents and veterans converged on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge Thursday to honor the thousands of lives lost during the attack.

Eleven of the 2,403 men, women and children who died that day hailed from the Gem State — the remains of 10 of those Idahoans were never found, according to Jason Dixon, Bannock County Clerk, U.S. Army Veteran and MC of Thursday’s remembrance. One of the service members who survived the attack was Chris Harame, who, with his wife Cusine Zaaccardi, began a tradition of scattering rose petals into the Portneuf River every year on the anniversary of the attack.

Harame and Zaaccardi continued the tradition until the former’s death in 2013.

Cold, windy weather forced this year’s event to undertake some changes — with portions of it taking place indoors — but it did not stunt turnout.

Dozens were in attendance for the third-straight year, since it was revived by Bannock County Veteran Services Coordinator Melissa Hartman.

Seven Idaho veterans were chosen to drop the rose petals from the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge, into the Portneuf River, as has been the case in previous years.

One new addition this year was the Hawthorne Middle School band.

Dixon, speaking to the band at the event, addressed the importance of youths in taking part in events like this one, and learning about the nation’s history.

“We think that it is awesome, for kids to be involved and to know what’s going on today,” Dixon said to the middle-schoolers. “This has been a longstanding tradition in this town, so I’m happy that you get to participate today.”