Pearl Harbor dead remembered on 71st anniversary of attack
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) - More than 2,000 people are gathering at Pearl Harbor on Friday to mark the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack that killed thousands of people and launched the United States into World War II.
Ceremonies get under way with a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., the exact time the bombing began in 1941.
The crew of a Navy guided-missile destroyer will stand on deck while the ship passes the USS Arizona, a battleship that still lies in the harbor where it sank. Hawaii Air National Guard aircraft will fly overhead.
The Navy and National Park Service are hosting the ceremonies, which are being held in remembrance of the 2,390 service members and 49 civilians killed in the attack.
Friday events also will give special recognition to members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, who flew noncombat missions during World War II, and to Ray Emory, a 91-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor who has pushed to identify the remains of unknown servicemen.
Admiral Cecil Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, is scheduled to give the keynote address. The ceremony will also include a Hawaiian blessing, songs played by the U.S. Pacific Fleet band and a rifle salute from the U.S. Marine Corps.
President Barack Obama marked the day on Thursday by issuing a presidential proclamation, calling for flags to fly at half-staff on Friday and asking all Americans to observe the day of remembrance and honor military service members and veterans.
"Today, we pay solemn tribute to America's sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice at Oahu," Obama said in a statement. "As we do, let us also reaffirm that their legacy will always burn bright - whether in the memory of those who knew them, the spirit of service that guides our men and women in uniform today, or the heart of the country they kept strong and free."
The Navy and park service will resume taking visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial, which sits atop the sunken battleship, after the ceremony.
Ceremonies get under way with a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., the exact time the bombing began in 1941.
The crew of a Navy guided-missile destroyer will stand on deck while the ship passes the USS Arizona, a battleship that still lies in the harbor where it sank. Hawaii Air National Guard aircraft will fly overhead.
The Navy and National Park Service are hosting the ceremonies, which are being held in remembrance of the 2,390 service members and 49 civilians killed in the attack.
Friday events also will give special recognition to members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, who flew noncombat missions during World War II, and to Ray Emory, a 91-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor who has pushed to identify the remains of unknown servicemen.
Admiral Cecil Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, is scheduled to give the keynote address. The ceremony will also include a Hawaiian blessing, songs played by the U.S. Pacific Fleet band and a rifle salute from the U.S. Marine Corps.
President Barack Obama marked the day on Thursday by issuing a presidential proclamation, calling for flags to fly at half-staff on Friday and asking all Americans to observe the day of remembrance and honor military service members and veterans.
"Today, we pay solemn tribute to America's sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice at Oahu," Obama said in a statement. "As we do, let us also reaffirm that their legacy will always burn bright - whether in the memory of those who knew them, the spirit of service that guides our men and women in uniform today, or the heart of the country they kept strong and free."
The Navy and park service will resume taking visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial, which sits atop the sunken battleship, after the ceremony.
Jamie.....I was there when they filmed the moon landing at Universal studios...I was there when George W said "let'em do it!"....I was there when the democratic committie told John McCain "Sarah would be a good choice!"...I was there when....I think you get the picture......repeating that blather is a disservice to the men and women whom lost their lives that day and many others.
About the only conspiracy theory that holds any water is the assasination of John Kennedy...at least there's ampl,e evidence to support the claim.
The idea that one or more people "allowed" the Pearl attack to happen is less plausible than an upset person with a rifle shooting the president?
Growing up, I was taught the history of December 7, 1941, (a date which will live in in infamy) and even thought, wow that's sad that it happened. I even wrote a report in high school about the kamikaze pilots, without it really affecting me. Being 35 years old, it wasn't until 2 years ago when the reality of the devastation and horror hit me. While visiting Pearl Harbor, I was moved to tears just walking up to the memorial and the ferry ride to the Arizona. Even thinking back to that visit, gets me choked up. If you haven't had an opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor, please do so. It's an experience you will not forget.
Always had trouble visualizing what happened on that date until I visited the site several years ago. I don't think anyone could ever go there and not feel the impact of what happened on that date.Â
RIP.
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My Grandfather was there in the Army, witnessed the hole thing from the Schofield Barracks.
I have been to the USS Arizona memorial and if you havent been, I recommend it. It is a very solemn and moving experience. I took my dad (a US Army veteran) there and I will remember it till I die.
Too bad we let the Japanese attack just so we could get into the war.
@Jamie While I don't agree with your comment, because the Japanese Ambassador had repeatedly told the Americans that Japan would not attack, and only gave the declaration of war against the United States hours after the attack had already started, because of their own government issues, it did do the economy good, but at a sacrifice that one hopes will never happen again. Americans were already signing up in Europe to fight along with the British and the French Foreign Legionaires to stop the tyranny of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. If I was alive then, I would have begged to fly right seat with Doolittle and the Raiders in a heartbeat! Just like now with the Liberal (Occult) agenda, I will fight to the death to protect my freedom and against the tyranny of this new governments control and freedom removing tactics of the current administration. Just like back then, Liberals want and take, and conservatives protect what they have "worked" for!
 @Jamie "let" ? seriously? an FDR conspiracy huh?
I wonder how many children remember what this is. I wonder how many many parents even care enough to teach their children history anymore? I wonder how many teachers actively teach real history in our classrooms?
@Civ Oh they teach history, they teach "guilt" history, history about all the evil deeds commited by white Americans against the rest of the planet. They teach reparations history.
 @hankhandsome I was never taught "guilt history", all of the history I was taught was about how mighty the US was, and how we went out and conquered, how we were undefeatable.......then 9/11 happened, and I realized that our country is just as vulnerable as any other country.Â