On the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor more than 70 JROTC students from Wando and North Charleston High School attended the first in a series of symposiums to be held by Patriots Point Institute of History and Science over the next four years as Patriots Point commemorates the 70th anniversary of World War II. This first symposium of the series, "Pearl Harbor and September 11th, Dates that will live in Infamy!," was part of the Pearl Harbor Memorial service that marked the beginning of World War II.

The 30-minute program began with newsreel footage of the attack on Pearl Harbor and President Franklin Roosevelt's "Infamy" speech.

The archive footage was followed by interviews of Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, former Congressman and State Senator Arthur Ravenel, retired Navy Rear Admiral James Flatley, WW II Marine Corps fighter pilot Bill Cart, WW II Marine Infantryman Dick Whitaker and WW II Naval officer Marvin Veronee. They shared their remembrances of the Pearl Harbor attack, and how it affected their lives and the nation. The program then transitioned into a clip of the Twin Towers being attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, followed by President Bush's "Bullhorn Speech" as he addressed New York City firefighters shortly after. The panels of interviewees were once again asked for their remembrances of the event and the impact it had on the country.

Students were engaged after the interviews to tell their own stories on the events of 9/11 and how it had impacted their lives and the nation.

The symposium was designed to bring together two generations face to face: those who were children on the date of the attack on Pearl Harbor with those who were children during the terrorist attacks against America on 9/11.

The symposium brought out interesting parallels between the nation under attack and its response afterwards by its people. Senator DeMint's aide Mrs. Nancy Sharkey commented, "The symposium was a great way to bring together two generations to connect and share their similar experiences and responses under challenging circumstances."

The Patriots Point Institute of History and Science World War II symposium series is entitled "Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things," and is focused on the 70th anniversary of World War II..

The interactive education experience will incorporate guest speakers, music, fashion and art shows to engage students in discussion and foster understanding of not only the historical events, but the social and technological advances that evolved during the World War II era of America's Greatest Generation. Additionally, the symposiums will explore the connection between yesterday's problems and generation with today's problems and generation.

Presentations of the various symposiums will be available for download at Patriots Point's website.

For more information on the Patriots Point Institute of History and Science World War II symposium series, contact Patriots Point Education Director Keith Grybowski at 843-881-5931, e-mail kgrybowski@PatriotsPoint.org.