Honoring the Past, Committed to the Future
Dash Pereira
Courage, sacrifice, and service aren't just words to Dash Pereira—they're guiding principles that have shaped his young life. This deeply patriotic high schooler has transformed his passion for military history from textbook studies into tangible experiences, walking the hallowed grounds where history unfolded. His personal pilgrimage has taken him from World War II memorials in Washington, D.C. to the battle-scarred fields of Anzio, Italy, culminating in a profoundly moving visit to Pearl Harbor.
Standing where countless young Americans made the ultimate sacrifice left Dash humbled and changed. The realization that many who perished were just 18—his own age—struck him as both shocking and deeply inspiring. It's a perspective he wishes more of his generation shared. Through veterans' interviews, Dash has absorbed firsthand accounts of extraordinary heroism while contemplating the preventable tragedy of Pearl Harbor and the remarkable courage demonstrated in its aftermath.
The highlight of Dash's journey came in 2024 when he received the honor of reading a poem during the Interfaith Ceremony at the 83rd Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration—a moment that crystallized his connection to this pivotal moment in history.
Dash's commitment to service began long before his historical pilgrimages. Even as a child, he instinctively defended friends from bullies, regardless of personal consequences.
Cries of the USS Arizona
Mark Pereira
Beneath the solemn waves it lies,
The Arizona's mournful cries,
Oil leaks like endless, teary sighs,
A testament to lost goodbyes.
Each oil-drop a memory of the brave,
Whose fighting place became their grave,
A ship's deep anguish wave by wave,
In ocean's cradle, vast and grave.
Tears of black on blue expanse,
A ship's lament through time's advance,
In every bubble, a chance to glance
At each life lost to that fatal dance.
The hull, a tomb, lies split and scarred,
Guarding dreams that war had marred,
And through the oil, hope is charred,
A vessel's grief forever marred.
Yet in this grief, where darkness seeps,
A glimmer of sacred promise keeps,
For every soul the ocean reaps,
In dreams of peace, their spirit leaps.
With every tear the ship bestows,
A story of hope and peace it sows,
For from the deepest sorrow grows,
A future where no more tears flow.
So let the ship in sorrow steep,
For brave hearts in eternal sleep,
And as the battleship gently weeps,
Remember, freedom's price is deep.
Let not just anguish paint the tale,
But also love that will prevail,
For even in death, we shall not fail,
To seek a world where peace can hail.
Today, he continuously pushes his physical limits through rigorous training: rucking long distances, mastering outdoor survival skills, and embracing extreme fitness challenges. His path forward is clear as he aspires to train at West Point or the Citadel. He hopes to specialize in military history and intelligence and serve his country.
In our still-turbulent world, Dash firmly believes that genuine peace can only be achieved through strength. He carries Pearl Harbor's enduring lessons with him daily—honoring those who sacrificed everything while preparing himself to stand up for others in the future.