Bill Slater, veteran of World War II and Lake County’s only living Pearl Harbor survivor, was among those Lake County veterans on hand Friday during a Veterans Day celebration at Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport. Slater, 92, was serving aboard the battleship U.S.S. Pennsylvania when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the event that officially brought the United States into World War II. Also on hand was 88-year-old Robert Horan, who enlisted in the Army at age 17 with parental approval. He served at the tail end of World War II and in the Korean War. After that, he was involved in Army intelligence. In all, his service covered 50 years and he retired a lieutenant colonel. Bill Penny was honored as Veteran of the Year. Members of 4-H handed out specially designed cards to all the veterans and the Clear Lake High School band was on hand playing the songs of all the different branches of the military service. – Photo by Bob Minenna
