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World War II veteran living in South Florida remembers Pearl Harbor attack

Posted at 5:24 PM, Dec 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-07 21:30:27-05

77 years ago, Ray Palleschi was just 17 years old when he started hearing the news about the attack on Pearl Harbor.

"I think we were mainly shocked,” Palleschi said. "We couldn’t believe what happened and how much damage it did to our navy."

Now 94 years old and living at Tequesta Terrace Assisted Living, Palleschi said he joined the Air Force as soon as he turned 18.

He served two years in the South Pacific and at times found himself caught under attacks by Japanese fighter planes.

These days he is part of shrinking group of World War Two veterans in the United States but he still remembers the lessons from her service to the country.

"To respect my country and do what I can to be a good citizen," Palleschi said.