Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is an anniversary of the event that will forever be remembered as one of the largest attack by a foreign power or agent on American soil. Today, December 7th, is the day when we take a step back and a moment of silence to honor the ones who were lost and veterans of the tragic event that took place 73 years ago.
The event that took place more than seven decades ago left a mark on the American population, when a Japanese sneak attack sank and damaged 21 major United States ships, 300 airplanes, killed over 2,400 American soldiers, sailor, Marines and airmen while 1,200 other servicemen were left wounded. The losses were terrible, but the United States will remember it as the trigger that prompted the country’s entry into World War II, and would eventually propel it to being one of the most powerful entities in the global setting.
Long has passed since the tragic event, but a past president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association formed in 1958, William Muehleib, states that out of the 84,000 servicemen present at Pearl Harbor on the day of the attack, nearly 2,000 are still alive – still telling the story and urging the young generations to always remain vigilant and learn from the harshest stories of the past.
To pay homage and respects to this event, flags will fly at half-staff today, Sunday, to mark the 73rd anniversary in New York. President Barack Obama has encouraged all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance and to honor the 2,400 lives that were lost on the same day in 1941, and pay respect to both the past and the present military force with appropriate ceremonies and activities. He has invited all Federal agencies, organizations, groups and even people in their homes to fly the flag of the United States this December 7th in honor patriots who died following their service at Pearl Harbor.
Multiple other ceremonies will be held all throughout the United States to commemorate the significance of the day, while media, survivors and their families will help propagate the story of the attack. Memorial services will be held at venues such as the USS Arizona Memorial.
