POOLER, Ga. — The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force will host a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7, honoring survivors of the attack and World War II veterans.
The event, sponsored by the Navy League of Savannah, will feature keynote speaker Capt. Leonard Jones, U.S. Navy (Ret.), according to a press release from the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.
The program will include readings, music, a Two-Bell Ceremony, and the presentation of a flower wreath to recognize those who served during WWII. The event is free and open to the public.
Jones, a Matthews, Ga., native, graduated from Wrens High School in 1974 before earning a Navy college scholarship. He was commissioned in 1978 after completing the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Savannah State College.
During his 30-year naval career, he served as a surface warfare officer aboard several ships, including the USS Higbee, USS Dahlgren, USS Charles F. Adams, Destroyer Squadron 31 Staff, and USS Vincennes.
His overseas assignments included tours with Afloat Training Group Western Pacific in Yokosuka, Japan, and as Naval Attaché at the American Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas.
Jones later commanded Navy Recruiting District Atlanta and the NROTC Unit at Savannah State University, where he served as Professor of Naval Science.
He retired in 2008 as Director of the Latin America/Middle East Division at the Navy International Programs Office in Washington, D.C., according to a press release from the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.
Jones holds master’s degrees in education, applied science and national security affairs, along with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.
After retiring from the Navy, he taught NJROTC at Johnson High School and Peach County High School, where he was named Teacher of the Year for 2018–2019.
The Navy League of the United States, sponsor of the event, supports the nation’s sea services and works to promote awareness of maritime issues, according to a press release from the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force tells the story of the Eighth Air Force through films, exhibits, artifacts and archival material. Its features include a fully restored B-17 “Flying Fortress” and an immersive simulated bombing mission.
The museum is located at 175 Bourne Ave. in Pooler. Hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon–5 p.m. Sunday.
More information is available at www.mightyeighth.org or by calling 912-748-8888.
