Pearl Harbor Anniversary, Local Veterans Recognized

After carrying out 41 missions in Europe and another 10 in the Pacific, James Dougherty returned home for his first Christmas in three years. It was 1945.

“I was not old enough to buy my dad a beer,” Dougherty, a Horsham resident of 56 years recalled Friday, surrounded by about 300 local former and present military during a veterans recognition breakfast at The Blair Mill Inn in Horsham.

Still a kid when he enlisted in the Air Force as a 17-year-old in 1942, Dougherty grew in rank quicker than that of his teenage body. By January 1944 he had advanced to second lieutenant.

“The uniform fit from the neck down,” Dougherty said, noting that the head gear was always too big for him.

Now 86, Dougherty, who served his country for 10 years – and later the Hatboro-Horsham School Board and Horsham Township Council – said he’d “positively” do it all over again. The same may not be true of families whose sons and daughters are in combat, he said.

“It’s ok to say ‘we’re fighting terrorism’ as long as one of those young men is not your son,” Doughterty said.

Hosted by State representatives Todd Stephens of Horsham (R-151) and Iraq war veteran Tom Murt, of Upper Moreland (R-152), the festive breakfast gathering was held to not only honor veterans, but to recognize the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7.

In kicking off the morning event - which featured a color guard presentation, a moving rendition of the National Anthem and a video presentation on Pearl Harbor, as well as a presentation of certificates to veterans – Murt, said it’s difficult to not compare the Pearl Harbor attack to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“It certainly is appropriate that we never forget these tragic events,” Murt said, adding that through both, “pride and patriotism” flourished. “People are what make our nation great.”

Keynote speaker David Christian, the recipient of seven purple hearts during his service in the Vietnam War, said he’s spent his life fighting for veterans. In illustrating this assertion, Christian, who is running for U.S. Senate, referenced the battle he helped wage against residents of his Upper Makefield, Bucks County community who several years ago fought for more than two years to stop the establishment of the Washington Crossing National Cemetery.

“Who would ever think that would happen in America?” Christian asked. “This is our legacy. This is our future. How many people in your neighborhood will put out a flag for Pearl Harbor?”