Local to sing at Pearl Harbor event

December 7 will mark the 75th anniversary of the Imperial Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy fleet at Pearl Harbor - the event that plunged America into World War II.

Pam Keeton will be there, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the 42-voices-strong Oregon Spirit Chorus, on the deck of the USS Missouri. Keeton is one of three women from Central Oregon who will sing during an event that features groups from all 50 states.

Keeton, who sings with Bella Acapella in Bend, has been traveling to Salem since July to rehearse with the Oregon Spirit Chorus, a women's barbershop chorus in which she sings bass.

"We're all going over on the 5th and will be there from the 5th through the 9th," Keeton told The Nugget.

Her husband, Steve Keeton, will accompany her and visit the memorial at Pearl Harbor.

"Singing on the actual day of the 7th on the deck of the Mighty Mo - we're pretty excited about that," Keeton said.

Many U.S. military veterans, including survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, will be on hand for the observances.

The Oregon Spirit Choir will sing several pieces, including "Battle Hymn of the Republic," Happy Together," "From A Distance," "Let Freedom Ring," and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Keeton has been singing with Bella Acapella for about three years. She was a music major in college and has been a singer her whole life. The trip to Pearl Harbor marks a highlight of her life in music.

"I feel so honored," she said. "I get goosebumps thinking about it."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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