Pearl Harbor Remembered At Tulsa Theater Documentary Showing

The world reflects on the 70th anniversary of the day that will live in infamy.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is seared in the minds of all 60,000 who were there -- but there are an estimated 8,000 Pearl Harbor survivors still alive today.

Circle Cinema showed Pearl Harbor documentaries all day to mark the 70th anniversary of the attack Wednesday.

Arles Cole says his time is limited and he wants to spend it talking about the two hours that changed America.

"They found a sleeping giant. They didn't find a dying bunch of yellow bellies," said Arles Cole, US Navy.

The then 17-year-old was on the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. He was trapped four decks below the main deck as torpedoes and bombs crashed into the ship.

One bomb shredded through the ship right next to him, but it was a dud and didn't explode. It miraculously created the hole that Cole used to escape to the top deck.

Almost 2,400 people died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Now 87-years-old, Cole can't explain why he was spared.

"I can only say I don't know the mysteries of God. I know he is all eternal," he said.

Those who watched the documentaries for free at the Circle Cinema want younger generations to remember history.

Bill Wiles came to honor his father, who also survived Pearl Harbor.

"I think we don't talk a lot about American history and to know that when there is a spirit of America that when you are down, it's time to get up," Wiles said.

Cole says Americans should never forget.

He says his moment of pride after the attacks was when realizing no American flag was flying on the West Virginia, so he shimmied up a pole to tied one up--hoping to encourage others.

He went on to fight in World War II and was never injured.

"We have a spirit of a warrior within us, and God put that in the World War II generation, it's still there," Cole said.

Cole has written a book called, "Showing Our Colors at Pearl Harbor." He's also traveled around to speak at schools about his experience and his faith for the last 30 years.

12/07/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Area Pearl Harbor Survivors Honored Wednesday