The Town of Cicero hosted a commemoration in memory of the men and women who were killed on December 7, 1941 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii that launched World War II for Americans. The keynote speaker was Brian White, the Lead Teacher for Social Science at Morton East High School, who discussed the significance of Pearl Harbor on America, noting that event jettisoned America as the leader of the Free World. The Pearl Harbor Memorial, which is held every year, in Cicero, recognized the sacrifices of all Americans but also notes the sacrifice of one soldier, Cicero resident Joseph Philip Steffan, the 32 year old son of Anna and Philip Steffan, who had enlisted to serve in the U.S. Navy. Steffan was serving on the U.S.S. Arizona when it was struck by a devastating aerial bomb killing him and thousands of other soldiers on the ship. The Steffan family lived in the Town of Cicero at 1816 S. 60th Court with his parents. Cicero has a unique display honoring Steffan’s sacrifice including a metal segment of the U.S.S. Arizona, and memorabilia from what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called “a day that will live in infamy” on Dec. 8, 1941. Town officials including President Larry Dominick, Clerk Maria Punzo-Arias, Supervisor Joe Virruso, Assessor Emilio Cundari, Collector Fran Reitz and Trustees Victor Garcia, Bob Porod, John Cava and Blanca Vargas all offered words of support for the memory of Joseph Steffans. The meeting was led by Emcee Anthony Grazzini, Director of Grants and Accountability at Cicero Public School District 99, with an opening prayer from Cicero Chaplain Ismael Vargas.

Photo Caption: Cicero East school students wrote a pledge to Remember Pearl Harbor and recited the pledge at the Dec. 7, 2022 at the Town of Cicero commemoration of Pearl Harbor.
Photo Credit: The Town of Cicero