Pearl Harbor chapter to dissolve Sunday

Dec. 7 will be a sorrowful ending for the Silver State Chapter No. 1 of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

Begun by Howard Spreeman in 1972, the Carson City chapter had more than 50 members when chartered. At last count, there are 16 members living, with most of them in poor health and bedridden.

During their June meeting, chapter members present unanimously voted to turn in the group's charter. That day will come 67 years to the day Pearl Harbor went under attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy.

"We will still be Pearl Harbor members," Spreeman said, who is presiding president. "Just not in our own charter. We'll be members at-large."

The history of Pearl Harbor has been kept live through members like those in the Carson City chapter. Spreeman and fellow Pearl Harbor veteran Roland Peachee, vice president of the chapter, have videotaped their interviews with middle school students and other groups and made them available to schools.

"I hate to see our chapter go," Spreeman added. "But we need to do this."

The chapter will formally turn in its charter at its last meeting at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Grandma Hattie's Restaurant.

"In all the years we've done this, we made just one mistake. We got older."

The final Hawaii official reunion of the Pearl Harbor veterans was held Dec. 7, 2006, by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.