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Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Edmond Turns 103
May 21, 2021
Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment celebrated his 103rd birthday Friday. And he’s looking forward to reading your birthday wishes in the comment section below, or on our Facebook page.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
“I’m about the last one (Pearl Harbor survivor) left around here,” Emond said during a drive-by birthday party last year at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band. The Guinness Book of World Records named him the “Oldest Musical Conductor” in the world after he participated in a 2019 Memorial Day concert.
Picture above, Emond is seen celebrating a few days ago and encouraging future Naval Aviator Eva Miller as she begins her time in the NROTC at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Miller, who is graduating this year from Tate High School, calls Emond “Uncle Frank” even there is no blood relation.
For photos from Emond’s 102 drive-by birthday event in 2020, click or tap here.
Pictured below: Scenes from Frank Emond’s 102nd drive-thru birthday party last year at Gonzalez United Methodist Church. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
85 Responses to “Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Edmond Turns 103”
God bless and protect you sir. Always
Happy Belated birthday, Mr. Emond! My family heard your recent guiness book of world records story on the news in Chicago. What an accomplishment, what a life you have lived! After hearing your story, we read more about you and your experience at Pearl Harbor. My mom’s uncle, Stanley Swiontek from Chicago was on the USS Arizona. It was emotional to hear you talk about the 21 members of the band you had played with the night before. We couldn’t help but to wonder and even assume that you may have met our dear “Uncle Stanley”, a field cook and clarinet player and one of those 21 players on the Arizona that perished. Thank you for sharing your story, thank you for your service and thank you for being such an inspiration!
The Hedlin and Martinotti Families
Happy super-belated birthday, Mr. Emond! I met you 3 years ago in Clarksville, TN at the Welcome Home Veterans Celebration Lee Greenwood concert. We had our picture made and I always think of you on Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day. Thank you for your service and sacrifice! Susan Dickinson
Belated Happy Birthday Mr. Emond. I certainly enjoyed listening to your presentation when you spoke at the Molino Library and helping to get you submitted into the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
Best Wishes on your 103rd BIRTHDAY.
Happy Birthday Mr. Emond. It has been my honor to have been a member of your NAS Pensacola Band from 1963-1965. I recall talking to you on the phone last year as we both remembered those times including the record album you bought “The Singing Nun”, your white Nash Rambler, and the two week long trips the band made to play in the Marci Gras parades those years. I wish you all the best. I really respect you as I knew you personally as I spent those two years in your office as the Band yeoman.
Mr. Emond, this is Kathy that lived across the street from you and Mrs. E many years ago and from Fairfield President. You look wonderful. Would love to see you sometime.
Happy Belated Birthday!!
Uncle Frank, thank you for your service to our nation and being a role model for me and others growing up. I remember spending time while visiting with you and Aunt Evelyn in all the places you were stationed. I salute you and send a heart felt prayer to all the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. God bless you and the USA!
Happy birthday – thank you for your service and god bless you sir!
From the son of a WWII vet and Associate member of SDPHSA
Dave Lambert
Mr Frank Edmond, I had the honor to meet and speak with you on September 12 2018 in Clarksville Tn. This was a dinner to welcome veterans and you and Mr Edgar Harrell were the guest speakers. I have a picture of us three together. I feel so bless to to meet both of you. HAPPY 103RD BIRTHDAY, SIR.
Happy Birthday, thank you for your service.
Happy Birthday Mr. Frank! We appreciate and thank you for your service! Have a blessed Birthday!!
First and foremost thank you Sir for your service and of course Happy Birthday. People say say the only thing guaranteed in life is change. Sometimes good sometimes bad, I’m sure you have seen your fair share of both. My birthday wish to you is that you have seen more good.
Happy Birthday, Sir. Thank you for serving your country and the sacrifices you made. God has blessed you with a wonderful life and you have seen so many avenues of progression. Than you for using your musical talents for the Lord! I know you have been such a blessing to so many. My Dad and 2 of his brothers served in WWII in the Pacific. May God continue to bless you.
Happy Birthday Mr.Frank!! Thank you sir for your service to our country! May God Bless You! Enjoy your special day.
Happy Birthday..you are a truly amazing man..Thank you for your service,Sir
Best wishes Frank. Was honored to volunteer with you at NAVAL HOSPITAL PENSACOLA QUARTERDECK.
Happy Birthday Mr. Edmonds! Thank you for your service to our country.
God has blessed you with a wonderful life, many friends, a musical ability few people have. Looking forward to hearing from you next year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Sir! Thank you for your service providing the freedom we have today.
Happy Birthday to you, Mr. Edmonds. Well done.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Frank! Thank you for your service! God bless you!
Mr. Frank Happy Birthday! Thank you for your service sir. Wishing you the very best God bless you.
Happy 103 and thanks for your service!
Thank you for your service in World War II!! God bless you!!!!
God bless you on your specisl day! Happy birthday sir!
Happy Birthday! We wish you the best on your special day and thank you for your service. You are a wonderful person who ,I’m sure, must have amazing stories to tell. Hope you have a lovely day.
Sir, I believe you were at Zelica Grotto Hall some years ago with a couple of other Survivors of Pearl Harbor. It was a Great Honor to hear you and others speak of the time before the attack and afterward when all hands turned to fight back then help their injured and fallen mates.
It is Wonderful that you have lived long and continue to stand as a Beacon of Freedom.
God Bless YOU and God Bless the United States of America.
REAL HEROES WEAR DOG TAGS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM HAPPY -THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY & HELPING MAKE FL. A BETTER STATE &CANTONMENT A BETTER TOWN!!
Happy birthday Frank !!!Thank you Brother Frank for your service to our country. You are such an Encouragement to me, as a choir member at Church. It’s amazing how strong your voice beams above the others !!May God continue to bless you and keep you singing Praises at Gonzalez United Methodist Church. You are an inspiration to many. Happy Birthday and pray you have many more special days‼️
How cool is it that a Sailor Bandsman makes it to 103 !
BRAVO from a retired Chief Master Ser !
Thank you for your sacrifice and protecting our country
Happy Birthday sir. You truly are the part of the greatest generation
A most Happy Birthday Shipmate!!! My first duty station in 1983 was on board the USS Jason AR-8 in Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. I looked at the Arizona memorial with reverence every work day. Would love to meet you sometime and trade some scuttlebutt. Until then please accept a snappy hand salute on your 103rd Birthday. BRAVO ZULU!!
Happy Birthday. Thank you for your service. My uncle Max Ring was a retired Chief Musician and my other uncle was on board the USS Maryland that day in December.
Happy Birthday Sir !!!!
May you have many more and thank you for your service !!!!
Happy birthday! Hope your doing well in these dreadful times.
Happy Birthday 103!!! Keith and I are so proud to call you “friend” and to attend Gonzalez UMC with you. We lived on Oahu 1967-69 and visited the Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor several times. Little did we know that we would get to know a survivor of that “day of infamy” in 1941. Thank you for your service. God bless you on this special day! Keith & Carolyn Gwaltney
Frank, we are so proud to call you friend and fellow church member at Gonzalez UMC. During Keith’s last 2 years in the Navy, we lived on the island of Oahu. We visited the Arizona Memorial several times. Little did we know that one day we would have a friend who survived that terrible “day of infamy.” God bless you for your service. Thank you for being such an inspiration and, most of all, for being our friend. Happy 103rd Birthday. Our love, Keith & Carolyn Gwaltney
Our WWII vets, An American treasure. I cannot begin to imagine what he felt on that day! Thank you sir for your service and the productive life you have lived after the fact.
Happy birthday Frank. Thank you for your
Service. Many happy returns.
Keep on amazing us.
THANk YOU for your service and a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY young man
Just wanted to take a moment and wish you Mr. Frank a very Happy Birthday. What a proud moment in history this is for you. May God continue to Bless You and Thank
You sir for your service to our great nation. May you enjoy your day and don’t eat
too much cake.
Happy birthday hero! Thank you for your service during one of our most troubled times. I am from pearl harbor and familiar with the struggles faced that day of which no one should have had to endure. Hope you have a joyus birthday celebration surrounded by loved ones
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Sir and many more! Semper fortis!
Happy Birthday Sir
Thank you for your service.
God Bless
Happy Birthday Warrant
I am a fellow french horn player and a retired Senior Chief.
Far winds and following seas
We salute you sir, Happy 103rd Birthday
Happy Birthday from the Clarkes of Cantonment. We heard your story on the radio and had no idea you lived here – we are SO PROUD and honored to live nearby! Thank you thank you thank you for your service and patriotism for all your years YOUNG! Your story is an inspiration to us all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Happy birthday, Sir. Wishing you fair winds and following seas.
☆ Happy Birthday Sir ☆ Thank You for Your Service
☆ Happy Birthday Sir☆ Thank You for Your Service
Happy birthday and God Bless you. Thank you for your service!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Emond! I hope you have a great day celebrating your special day!
My mom was a WAVE during WWII, serving here in Pensacola repairing aircraft instruments. Pearl Harbor was her inspiration to put her teaching career on hold and sign up. Those days women had to get a male relative’s signature to do so but her dad wouldn’t give it since he already had three sons serving (one at Pearl Harbor, too). So, she moved in with a brother in another state and convinced him to sign her papers!
Thank you for your service keeping the morale up of your fellow sailors. I’m glad you survived that terrible day. Bless you and take care.
Happy Birthday, Shipmate! I also served in Pearl Harbor, and more specifically, did a shore duty tour on Ford Island. I rode the smallboat shuttle out every morning past Battleship Row, and I never cease to be grateful for the sacrifice and service of yours, “The Greatest Generation”. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Frank!
Happy Birthday, Chief Warrant Officer Edmond!
You are a Gentleman and a Patriot and we are all grateful for your service.
God Bless You, Sir.
Happy Birthday Mr Frank!
Happy Birthday Mr. Emond and thank you sir for your service and being that GREAT generation. Without men and women like you this country would have fallen a long time ago.
God bless you sir and BZ!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
You are a true American Hero in every sense of the word.
I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day.
Hey, Happy Birthday! HOOYAH!
-AO2 VET-
Happy Birthday and Thank you, Frank! Years of service to the USA and the Navy are very much appreciated! We have some World War 2 history in my family with an ancestor who died at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. The courage and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation far exceeds any other. Have a good day and God Bless!
Very awesome, Happy Brithday!!
My grandfather also at pearl harbor was on USS Vestal, got to hear first hand stories of the attack, Charles Bransford was his name… Happy birthday
My grandfather also at pearl harbor was on USS Vestal, got to hear first hand stories of the attack, Charles Bransford was his name
Happy Birthday. Your story is encouraging.
Happy Birthday, and thank you for your service sir!
Happy happy birthday to you. Thank you for your service and lifelong dedication to your passion!
Amazing man! I would enjoy talking with him. My grandfather Alexander Campbell was also at Pearl Harbor and went to the survivor reunions every year. (Wonder if he knew him?) — Happy Birthday Mr Frank!
Happy Birthday sir! Thank you for your many years of service.
Happy Birthday Mr. Frank Emond ! May God bless you with good health and blessed days ahead of you.
Congratulations on your birthday. Thank you for serving! God bless. Prayers for another great year with your friends and loved ones.
From North Carolina with love and appreciation.
The legend lives on
Happy 103rd birthday Frank
Happy Birthday Mr. Frank!! What an honor it is to be able to send you birthday wishes!
Happy Birthday
We wish you a very Happy 103rd Birthday.
God Bless you and keep you.
Happy 103rd Birthday, Mr. Frank! Thank you for being a remarkable man and for your service. My father-in-law was on the Arizona up until just a few months before the Pearl Harbor attack. What an amazing life you have lived! You truly are a “music man”! It was great to read just a few of the amazing facts of your accomplishments. And you are still encouraging others! We need more Mr. Frank Edmonds. Enjoy your special day. Party on!
Happy birthday Mr. Frank !
Happy birthday sir.
Thank you for your service sir… I am honored to live even in the same area as you!
Happy Birthday Sir
Happy Birthday Frank.
Happy Birthday Mr. Emond! I would love to hear some of your reflections on the past 100 years.
What an accomplished patriot.
Hubby Craig and I were just talking about Mr.Edmond this week..we listened to his story first at MOLINO MIDTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY and then he shared his WORLD WAR II
experiences at one of BARRINEAU PARK HISTORICAL SOCIETY annual Christmas dinner 5 years ago..we treasured his presentation because he actually lived through one of 20th Century most memorable events and his rendition made it so vivid and real..HAPPY 103TH BIRTHDAY,MR.FRANK EDMOND.