Pearl Harbor attacks remembered 70 years later

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - The Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor and those who lost their lives that day are being remembered Wednesday on the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack that brought the U.S. into World War II.

About 120 survivors will join Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, military leaders and civilians to observe a moment of silence in Pearl Harbor at 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time — the moment the attack began seven decades ago.

About 3,000 people are expected to attend the event held each year at a site overlooking the sunken USS Arizona and the white memorial that straddles the battleship.

Pearl Harbor survivors join fallen comrades

The Pearl Harbor-based guided missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon will render honors to the Arizona and blow its whistle at the start of a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m. — the same time 70 years ago the first Japanese planes began to attack.

F-22 jets flown by the Hawaii National Guard are due to soar overhead in a missing man formation to finish the moment of silence.

23 Photos

Pearl Harbor - Day of infamy

Mal Middlesworth, a Marine veteran who was on the USS San Francisco during the bombing, will deliver the keynote address.

President Barack Obama hailed veterans of the bombing in a statement proclaiming Wednesday "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."

"Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and their valor fortified all who served during World War II. As a nation, we look to December 7, 1941, to draw strength from the example set by these patriots and to honor all who have sacrificed for our freedoms," he said.

In this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo, the battleship USS Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into the sea during a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

/ AP

Also this week, five ash scattering and interment ceremonies are being held for five survivors whose cremated remains are returning to Pearl Harbor after their deaths.

On Tuesday, an urn containing the ashes of Lee Soucy was placed on his battleship, the USS Utah, which is lying on its side near the place where it sank 70 years ago. The ashes of Vernon Olsen, who was on the Arizona during the attack, will be placed on his ship late Wednesday.

The U.S. lost 12 vessels that day, but the Arizona and the Utah are the only ones still sitting in the harbor. The ashes of three others are being scattered in the water in separate ceremonies this week.

In this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo, sailors stand among wrecked airplanes at Ford Island Naval Air Station as they watch the explosion of the USS Shaw in the background, during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

/ AP

[justme2saythis]

Why did the CBS show Hawaii 5-0, while filming at the cemetery, disrupt the WW2 veterans, average age 91, while they held their remembrance ceremony by walking all over the gravestones, laughing and talking during the playing of the national anthem and moment of silence?

[destination360]

Enjoyed the video on this site, and thanks to Theolathos for providing the link to the 70th anniversary publication as well—really interesting to see. We've made several trips to Oahu and shot virtual tours/photographs of the Punchbowl Memorial (http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/hawaii/oahu/punchbowl-hawaii) and the USS Arizona Memorial, and it's incredible to compare how it looks in 2011 to what happened in 1941.

[EndOfHistory]

A while back, I wrote an article about what World War II was really about, here it is, in case anyone is interested.

http://chroniclesoftheendofhistory.blogspot.com/2010/06/with-japans-leaders.html

[TonyP44]

The bomb should have been dropped on the imperial palace whose master (now the parasite of society like most other 'royal' families) was responsible for the aggressive invasion and not on innocent citizens. Most Japanese soldiers were war criminals and should be tracked and prosecuted. They define the term comfort women.

BTW, did we pay royalty for using Germany's technology, haha?

[kevjustice]

here is a part of the story most people do not want to hear. the public/nation was mostly against getting involved in the war. the u.s. government?-that's another story. a "pretext"was needed. a bloodbath was needed. can you honestly believe this was a "sneak" attack-lol. how can japan bring huge aircraft carriers acrss the sea without being detected especially when they were being watched like a hawk by the u.s. because of the tense relationship at that time. furthermore, i have seen documentaries where some people who where there said they knew it was coming. most people do not want to think their government would "allow" this to happen. some may feel that this was the only way to get the public to support a war that in the end did stop the axis powers. what would have happened if the u.s. did not go to war? hitler's picture on the dollar bill? lol!

[Theolathos]

I found a digital edition of the Pearl Harbor 70th publication. It is the same one being distributed at today's commemoration ceremonies in Hawaii. http://t.co/eft7NCqA