Pearl Harbor Survivor Speaks to First Graders

Lorraine and Ken Kirkland take questions from Lisa Stover Russell’s first grade class.

Each year first grade teacher, Lisa Stover-Russell, of East Elementary School in Mountain Home, teaches a lesson on Hawaii and the attack on Pearl Harbor, followed by a very special guest speaker, Lorraine Kirkland.

Accompanied by her husband, Ken Kirkland, and dressed in their Boise State Bronco gear the couple settled into little chairs in front of the classroom as all the children gathered at their feet. It’s difficult for her to share her story, but it’s more important that the children hear her tell it.

“I am a Pearl Harbor survivor,” Mrs. Kirkland explained, and “I was just a little older than you.” They were on their way to church that morning. It wasn’t far, so they were walking. Mrs. Kirkland remembers the truck with a loud speaker making announcements that it wasn’t a test…that they needed to go back home.

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.