Centenarian World War II veteran Joe Shomo was the guest of honor at the Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance and Luncheon hosted by the We Can Be Heroes Foundation. Shomo graciously posed for photos with hundreds attending the event at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Shomo rose from his wheelchair to stand and salute for the presentation of colors, the saying of Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the National Anthem. The event featured Shomo’s prerecorded story of his service and explains why World War II veterans are referred to as the Greatest Generation.
Keynote speaker retired Navy Captain Ryman Shoaf presented the unforgettable true story of the life of Japanese Imperial Navy Capt. Mitsuo Fuchida, who coordinated and commanded the air attack on Pearl Harbor. Fuchida’s life had several surprising turns during the war. After the war and much personal suffering, Fuchida became a devout Christian, evangelist and friend of the Rev. Billy Graham…