Valor, Sacrifice and Peace: Dozens of veterans commemorate the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii and across the US after ‘day which will live in infamy’ left 2,403 dead
- Thousands gathered across the United States Tuesday to honor the heroes who died 80 years ago on Dec. 7, 1941 in the Pearl Harbor attack
- The National Park Service held a ceremony at the Pearl Harbor memorial site to commemorate the events of the ‘day which will live in infamy’
- Thousands gathered Tuesday to honor the fallen, support the survivors and bring closure to the hundreds of families who have waited years for their loved ones to be identified
- Memorials were held in Washington DC, New York City and across the nation, featuring the laying of wreaths, playing of taps and moments of silence
- The Dec. 7, 1941 attack killed 2,403 service members and civilians and resulted in the US entering World War II
Veterans gathered in Hawaii and across the United States Tuesday to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor 80 years ago.
The National Park Service held a ceremony at the Pearl Harbor memorial site to commemorate the events of Dec. 7, 1941 – a day that then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously dubbed as ‘a date which will live in infamy’.
The Dec. 7, 1941 attack killed 2,403 service members and civilians, shaking the nation and ultimately leading the US to enter World War II. More than a thousand others were wounded.
Thousands gathered Tuesday to honor the fallen, support the survivors and bring closure to the hundreds of families who have waited years for their loved ones to be identified.
Memorials were held in Washington DC, New York City and across the nation, featuring the laying of wreaths, playing of taps and moments of silence.
Veterans gathered in Hawaii and across the United States Tuesday to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor 80 years ago
The National Park Service held a ceremony at the Pearl Harbor memorial site to commemorate the events of Dec. 7, 1941 – a day that then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously dubbed as ‘a date which will live in infamy’
Thousands gathered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Tuesday (pictured) to honor the fallen, support the survivors and bring closure to the hundreds of families who have waited years for their loved ones to be identified
The remembrance ceremony in Hawaii began at 7.40am local time, followed by a moment of silence at 7.55am – the moment the attack began 80 years ago.
Military personnel were seen saluting, greeting veterans and offering their support the nation’s heroes.
The 80th anniversary of the attack also marked the competition of a longtime project aiming to identify 396 of the 429 USS Oklahoma crew members who died in the attack.
Those in charge of the identification efforts called Tuesday’s ceremony ‘truly a momentous occasion.’
‘To say it is a milestone is not an understatement,’ Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency told the Epoch Times.
‘It was the right thing to do, to provide answers to the families about their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.’
The remembrance ceremony began at 7.40am Hawaii local time, followed by a moment of silence at 7.55am – the moment the attack began 80 years ago
Attendees are seen at the 80th Pearl Harbor Anniversary ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Honolulu
Military personnel were seen saluting, greeting veterans and offering their support the nation’s heroes
Ronald G. Scharfe, a World War II veteran, observes the USS Arizona Memorial during a World War II veterans harbor tour as part of the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Remembrance on December 5, 2021
In the nation’s capitol, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden made an early morning visit to the World War II Memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of the attack and to honor Bob Dole.
Veterans, military members and their loved ones watched as the president paid his respects.
Biden appeared emotional as he looked out over the granite memorial honoring the 418,500 Americans who died in the second world war.
The first couple brought a wreath with them that contained one wild sunflower, the state flower of Kansas, according to the White House, to honor Dole, a World War II veteran who died on Sunday.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden made an early morning visit to the World War II Memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of the attack and to honor Bob Dole
Veterans, military members and their loved ones watched as the president paid his respects
Biden appeared emotional as he looked out over the granite memorial honoring the 418,500 Americans who died in the second world war
WWII veteran Harry Miller. 93, attends an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
During the solomon visit, made on an overcast and chilly day in Washington, the president saluted the wreath and made the sign of the cross while the first lady touched it with her hand.
After paying their respects at the wreath, the Bidens then walked hand-in-hand to the New Jersey pillar of the memorial where Jill Biden laid a bouquet in honor of her father, Donald Jacobs, who served as a US Navy Signalman in WWII.
The memorial consists of 56 pillars, representing US states and territories, and a pair of small triumphal arches for the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
‘The President and the First Lady are visiting the World War II Memorial to mark National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and honor the American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941,’ the White House said in a statement.
The Bidens spent about 10 minutes at the site, entering from its Pacific Tower, where they stood side by side viewing the memorial.
A wreath left by US President Joe Biden stands next to the Freedom Wall commemorating the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the National World War II Memorial in DC
WWII reenactors stand during the US National Anthem during an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the National National World War II Memorial in Washington DC on Dec. 7, 2021
A U.S. National Park ranger looks at flags that are flying at half-staff on the grounds of the Washington Monument during a Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Commemoration at the World War II Memorial December 7, 2021 in Washington DC
Veterans participate in a wreath laying during a Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Commemoration at the World War II Memorial December 7, 2021 in Washington DC
Americans also gathered in New York City at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to pay tribute to the heroes who lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack.
Family members of local Pearl Harbor survivors threw a wreath into the Hudson River that read: ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’.
Participants said the ceremony made them feel closer to their loved ones.
‘I’m feeling my dad’s spirit here with us all today. He would, you know, be here every year,’ Michael Galella told CBS New York. His father, Armando ‘Chick’ Galella of Tarrytown, New York, passed away in September.
‘When they came home, it was their obligation to tell stories about the ones who didn’t come home.’
Family members of local Pearl Harbor veterans gathered in New York City at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to pay tribute to the heroes who lost their lives in the attack
Family members of local Pearl Harbor survivors threw a wreath into the Hudson River that read: ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’
The wreath is seen floating in the Hudson River
A bagpipe player performs as family members of local Pearl Harbor survivors and others gather to throw a wreath in the water off of the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City
The Intrepid was commissioned in 1943 and participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations
Last week, the White House issued a proclamation recognizing Tuesday as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
In the proclamation, Biden gave ‘thanks to the Greatest Generation, who guided our Nation through some of our darkest moments and laid the foundations of an international system that has transformed former adversaries into allies.’
He reminded Americans to ‘honor the patriots who perished, commemorate the valor of all those who defended our nation, and recommit to carrying forth the ensuing peace and reconciliation that brought a better future for our world.’
The president also said the US remains ‘forever indebted to all those who gave their last full measure of devotion eight decades ago’.
Last week, the White House issued a proclamation recognizing Tuesday as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Pearl Harbor survivor Herb Elfring speaks at a news conference in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021
A portrait of Pearl Harbor survivor and World War II Navy veteran David Russell, 101, taken during the war
World War II veterans, along with families and friends, stand as ‘taps’ is performed during the USS Nevada commemoration ceremony as part of the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Remembrance near Honolulu, Hawaii on December 5, 2021
Participants join a prayer during a Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Commemoration at the World War II Memorial December 7, 2021 in Washington, DC
This April 1938 file photo shows the USS Oklahoma. The ship sank during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor
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