Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary Commemoration

Navy officials and others commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Secretary Mabus spoke and letters from Secretaries Panetta and Salazar and Senator Inouye were read. Highlights of the ceremony included military band music, morning colors, a traditional Hawaiian blessing, a rifle salute by members of the armed services, wreath presentations, echo taps, and recognition of the men and women who survived the attacks and those who did not. A moment of silence was observed, scheduled for 7:55 a.m. Hawaiian time, when the Japanese attack began 70 years ago. The guided missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon rendered honors to the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor survivors followed by a “missing man” formation flight over the memorial.

The ceremony was held by the National Park Service and Navy Region Hawaii on the back lawn of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center of the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument, overlooking the UUS Arizona Memorial. close