Pearl Harbor survivors gather in Gridley

A small crowd gathered with lumps in their throats and tears in their eyes Wednesday to watch three Pearl Harbor survivors raise a flag to half-mast.

The flag at the Butte County Fairgrounds memorial was unfurled just before 9:55 a.m., the moment of the attack in Oahu seven decades ago, and followed by a brief proclamation by Gridley Mayor Jerry Ann Fichter to recognize the 70th anniversary and those who died and were injured that fateful day. The annual ceremony by the Feather River chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors attracted about 75 people this year but is said to be the last because of survivors’ dwindling numbers.

“There are only a few of us left,” said Sutter Resident Art Rodda, explaining his compulsion to attend. “It’s really an honor.”

The Retired Seaman 2nd Class wore a navy blue jacket with “Pearl Harbor Survivor USS Nevada” embroidered over his heart, and a bright Hawaiian shirt underneath, covered in colorful hibiscus flowers, palm trees and images of all the ships in the harbor that infamous morning.

“I think of it every day,” he said. “Something comes up to remind you every day. You can’t forget it.”

Rodda was saluting colors as the USS Nevada band played the national anthem when the planes came screaming toward the naval base. On the fantail of the ship, he watched the devastation as bombs began to drop around him and men were thrown around from the impact.

“It happened so suddenly. You were sitting there innocent and all hell broke loose,” he said.

His longtime friend Geri Davis of Live Oak accompanied him to Wednesday’s ceremony because she knows how strongly Rodda feels about remembrance.

“Sometimes he has a tear, or two or three, in his eyes when he talks about it,” she said. “I don’t blame him. It is an awful memory.”

Photos: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 

For Chico resident Art Wells, memories from Dec. 7, 1941 replay vividly in his mind. A Marine on the USS Pennsylvania, he watched from 150 feet above the waterline on the ship’s mainmast, helpless to aid his dying comrades.

“I watched the Oklahoma blow over so fast her mast made a splash as she hit the water. Men scrambled to climb over her as she overturned and others floundered in the water,” said Wells, 89. “Then I watched as a torpedo tore the side out of the (USS) West Virginia.”

Seventy years later, even though the survivors chapter may be ending, he still stresses the importance of remembering the attacks.

“I’m a believer those of who were there experiencing it need to pass the details on to the younger generation,” he said.

At the breakfast before the ceremony, Yuba City resident Paul Shirley, a member of a Pearl Harbor historical society, read a speech to thank Rodda, Wells, and fellow survivor Fred Smith, of Chico. He thanked them for their service that ensures the liberties people enjoy today and later stood with tears in his eyes as the men raised the flag.

“This flag stands for rights and freedoms,” he said.

After the ceremony, he asked Sen. Doug La Malfa how to go about getting Pearl Harbor Day recognized as a national holiday, saying it merits such recognition.

Yuba City resident Denise Rix agreed and said she hopes that at least locally, someone will take on annual remembrance ceremony so it can continue to recognize survivors, veterans and their families.

“We wouldn’t have what we have today if it wasn’t for these men,” she said.

CONTACT reporter Ashley Gebb at 749-4783.