NICEVILLE — Fort Walton Beach resident Jorge Palerm once asked an Okaloosa County commissioner to rename Hollywood Boulevard after the Doolittle Raiders.
His request was denied.
In a short ceremony Wednesday afternoon, Palerm’s second choice was dedicated to his heroes. State Road 285 north of Niceville was officially named Doolittle Raiders Highway.
Palerm, wearing a tie of the American flag and Twin Towers, sang the national anthem and shared the history of the Doolittle Raiders at the intersection of SR 285 and College Boulevard.
“The training was intense but necessary. Young fighter pilots became bomber pilots in a very short time,” he said. “I always had admiration for these guys.”
The city of Mary Esther dedicated Doolittle Boulevard to the Raiders years ago, but Palerm did not think that was enough.
He was 7 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He remembers his second-grade class in Puerto Rico singing “Let’s Remember Pearl Harbor” every day until World War II ended.
Palerm learned the history of the Doolittle Raiders after seeing the movie “Thirty Seconds over Tokyo.”
Wednesday’s dedication ceremony came together in about two years. Palerm approached former County Commissioner John Jannazo, who took it to the board for approval. Because the road also runs through Walton County, both commissions had to approve the name change.
Once approved by the counties, bills sponsored by state Rep. Brad Drake and state Sen. Don Gaetz were passed by the Legislature last year.
Drake, who attended the dedication, said Doolittle Raiders Highway will be a constant reminder of the historic raid on Tokyo.
State Rep. Matt Gaetz said the mission the Raiders faced make today’s challenges seem small.
“This dedication of a highway is not just (a tribute to the) Doolittle Raiders, but for all who have de-fended our freedom and all who continue to defend our freedom,” Gaetz said.
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