Page "Bremerton, Washington" Paragraph 14

At the peak of World War II, the Bremerton area was home to an estimated 80, 000 residents due to the heavy workload of shipbuilding, repair and maintenance required for the Pacific war effort.

Most of the relocation was temporary, though, and only 27, 678 citizens were left in the city by 1950.

During the 1940s, presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman both visited Bremerton.

Roosevelt made a campaign stop at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on August 12, 1944, giving a national radio address in front of a backdrop of civilian workers.

During the course of his 35-minute speech, it is believed the president suffered an angina attack, experiencing severe chest and shoulder pain.

An electrocardiogram was immediately administered once he left the podium but it showed nothing abnormal.

President Truman took a two-day tour of Washington state in 1948, speaking from the balcony of the Elks Club on the morning of June 10.

Local legend has it that a man in the large Pacific Avenue crowd yelled the infamous " Give ' em hell, Harry " line for the first time.

This is a matter of dispute, however, as local newspapers quoted the man as having shouted " Lay it on, Harry.

" Despite this, there is a bronze plaque attached to the corner of the building declaring that exact spot to be the place where the phrase " Give ' em hell, Harry " was first uttered.