Pearl Harbor Day Remembered
Paul Baer enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and was assigned to Pearl Harbor in 1943. Paul's battalion was stationed across the bay directly from where the USS Arizona was sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack.
December 7, 1941 was a defining moment in America’s history - “a day that will live in infamy,” President Franklin Roosevelt told the country. For our nation, this day marked the first of 1,351 days of war and mobilized 16 million young Americans, one of them being 21-year old Paul Baer.
Paul Baer enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and was assigned to Pearl Harbor in 1943. With his machinist experience, he became a 1st Class Motor Machinist Mate in the 302nd Navy SeaBee Battalion. Paul's battalion was stationed across the bay directly from where the USS Arizona was sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack.
Paul served in the Navy until 1945, both at his home base of Pearl Harbor and traveling to the beaches in the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Anguar, Peleliu, and others. It was not until after he retired from civilian life though that he came to VA. Paul’s friend recommended he go to VA Butler Healthcare when he found himself needing a hearing aid. Now 91 years old, Paul comes to VA Butler for his primary care and prescriptions. He works closely with his VA health care team, known as a Patient-Aligned Care Team, or PACT.
A PACT uses a team-based approach. Veterans are the center of the care team that also includes family members, caregivers and health care professionals. “They treat me like family,” Paul said. Working together, Veterans and their PACT team plan for care and life-long health and wellness; care that Veterans have earned through their service and sacrifice.
To other Veterans, Paul says “You are a Veteran—you’ve earned it! Go there [VA Butler].” At VA Butler, our health care professionals are privileged and honored to take care of our Veterans every day. We know we have the freedoms we share today as Americans thanks to our brave men and women from all service eras. Visit us, call us at 800.362.8262, or check us out online at www.butler.va.gov; we’re here for you.
