Pearl Harbor veteran urges acts of kindness and patriotism to honor the fallen

CLAYTON, CA (May 27, 2024) — At 100, Chuck Kohler still stood on his own while speaking before the Memorial Day crowd in Clayton’s Grove Park on Monday.

Kohler, who was an 18-year-old Navy serviceman in 1942, remembers the events he witnessed during the attack on Pearl Harbor “like it was yesterday.” In his remarks, Kohler said “we don’t have to wait for Memorial Day to honor and remember all of those…who have given their lives in service to this country.”

“We can do so by acts of kindness and acts of patriotism,” Kohler continued in a strong, clear voice. “You’d be surprised how happy it might make someone if you just up and do something for them without ever expecting something in return.”

Other guests at the ceremony included Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Assembly member Tim Grayson, Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson, Concord Mayor Edi Birsan and Clayton Mayor Jim Diaz.

Lt. Col. Michael Hudson, a retired marine, read a letter from Jake Larson, another World War II veteran, who has Kohler beat at 101 years of age. Larson was a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He wrote “Memorial Day is a special day for me. It gives all Americans the opportunity to celebrate and remember those who were called to serve. As a free country we should take pause to reflect, honor and give thanks to those who have served our nation, both the living and those who gave their lives so that we might live free in this great country.”