battleships

Memories.

Sara Boogay Garcia has gathered a lifetime of them in the span of a century.

The United States Army and World War II veteran celebrated her 100th birthday Saturday at home with her son, Greg, and a special home-made chocolate cake commemorating the occasion.

Frigid arctic air brought shivers to the crowd encircling the U.S.S. Nevada memorial Wednesday morning behind the Capitol during the state's remembrance of the Pearl Harbor attacks that occurred 75 years ago.

The morning of Dec. 7, 1941 started out for many Americans about the same as any other Sunday.

Households rose at dawn to feed the stock, catch the morning paper riding by, prepare a hearty breakfast and get ready for church services. By the end of the day, though, the nation and the world would be changed forever.

75 years ago, the USS Nevada was one of the battleships trapped when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. She was the only battleship to get underway during the attack, and according to Naval historian Kermit (Kit) H. Bonner the ship was "the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal and depressing morning" for the United States. Today we remember those lost in that attack, and remember the history behind the battleship that is our battle born namesake. A special exhibit of USS Nevada artifacts, and a lecture on her history are free for all at the State Museum at 1 p.m.

Mr. Wayne Scarpaci, author of “Battleship Nevada, the Extraordinary Ship of Firsts” will be at The Browsers Corner Book Store on Thursday, October 16th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. He will sell and autograph his book. Mr. Scarpaci is also an artist and has painted many of the ships he has studied and written about. Some of his battleship paintings will be on display. Light refreshments will be served. The Browsers Corner is located at 711 East Washington Street in Carson City (across from the library).

On Friday, July 11, the Nevada State Museum, the Reno Navy League and the Nevada Sesquicentennial Commission will re-dedicate a plaque at the USS Nevada Memorial on the Capitol Grounds in Carson City. A reception honoring the battleship USS Nevada and her fallen crew will follow in Old Assembly Chambers.