71st anniversary of Pearl Harbor stirs emotions
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — More than 2,000 people are gathering at Pearl Harbor today to mark the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack that killed thousands of people and launched the United States into World War II.
Ceremonies got 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 stood on deck while the ship passed the USS Arizona, a battleship that still lies in the harbor where it sank decades ago.
Hawaii Air National Guard aircraft flew overhead in missing man formation.
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.
The events also gave 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 to give the keynote address at the ceremony.
The ceremony also included 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 Thursday by issuing a presidential proclamation, calling for flags to fly at half-staff today 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.”
