Pearl Harbor omission plagues calendar

LAKELAND, Fla., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. grocery chain Publix said it is no longer offering a free calendar after being slammed for leaving the attack on Pearl Harbor off the publication.

Publix made the decision to no long offer the 2010 calendar to customers after a Florida radio talk show host strongly criticized the supermarket chain for failing to note the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese surprise attack that pulled the United States into World War II, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Friday.

Publix officials said at the apparent behest of Joyce Kaufman of WFTL-AM, a number of people complained to the company about the omission of the Pearl Harbor attack.

"We regret that the day of remembrance, Pearl Harbor, is not noted and as a result of customer feedback, we will add Pearl Harbor to next year's calendar," Publix spokeswoman Kimberly Jaeger said.

The 2010 calendar did note such international holidays as the start of the Islamic New Year, Puerto Rico Commonwealth Constitution Day and Haitian Flag Day.

The Sun Sentinel said Publix began offering the free calendars in 2005.