WHAT: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 marks the 72nd Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. The 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was a defining moment in U.S. history.
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and Fort Snelling National Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad will host a remembrance ceremony at 10 a.m. Dec. 7 in St. Paul to honor those who served, and remember those who gave their lives in the defense of Pearl Harbor. The event will include a rifle salute, and brief program, including remarks by guest speaker George Augustinack and recognition of USS Arizona Survivor, Edward Wentzlaff.
New this year, a group of local World War II historical reenactors will be at the event, dressed in military uniforms, to display a wide variety of equipment and uniforms from the era.
Minnesotans have had a proud history of service related to Pearl Harbor. Naval Reservists from Minnesota, serving aboard the USS Ward, were conducting a patrol near the entrance to Pearl Harbor. They sank a Japanese midget submarine, thus firing the first American shots of WWII. The number three gun, which fired the shot, sits on the Capitol Grounds near the west side of the Veterans Service Building in St. Paul.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013
10 a.m. Program and refreshments
WHERE: Veterans Service Building, 5th Floor, 20 W. 12th Street, St. Paul, MN 55155
Governor Dayton’s 2013 Proclamation
Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed Saturday, December 7, 2013, as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Minnesota, in honor of the 72th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the more than 2,400 Americans who lost their lives in these attacks.
Governor Dayton has also ordered all U.S. flags and Minnesota flags …be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, December 7, 2013, in honor and remembrance of those who died during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and those who sacrificed their lives for our liberty and freedom during World War II.
The proclamation from the Governor reads:
WHEREAS: On December 7,1941, the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian. Islands was attacked, along with other United States military installations in the Pacific Theater, without warning or provocation, by the Naval Forces of the Japanese Empire; and
WHEREAS: December 7, 2013, marks the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor; and
WHEREAS: More than 2,400 Americans, both military personnel and civilians, were killed in these attacks. More than 1,100 suffered injuries and the bulk of the United States fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor was severely damaged or destroyed; and
WHEREAS: On that fateful December day, eighty-four Naval Reservists from the State of Minnesota were serving on active duty at Pearl Harbor when the first shot was fired in defense of the United States, sinking a Japanese submarine attempting to infiltrate the harbor defenses prior to the attack; and
WHEREAS: A total of 16,535,000 men and women served in the United States Armed Forces including 326,000 Minnesotans-during the four, long years of World War II; and
WHEREAS: It is fitting and proper to remember the sacrifices of all who served in defense of our nation during World War II, especially those who paid the ultimate price and lost their lives in defense of the liberties that all Americans enjoy.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARK DAYTON, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Saturday, December 7, 2013, as PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY in the State of Minnesota, and hereby order all U.S. flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, December 7, 2013, in honor and remembrance of those who died during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and those who sacrificed their lives for our liberty and freedom during World War II.
Presidential Proclamation National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2013
More than seven decades ago, on a calm Sunday morning, our Nation was attacked without warning or provocation. The bombs that fell on the island of Oahu took almost 2,400 American lives, damaged our Pacific Fleet, challenged our resilience, and tested our re…solve. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the men and women who selflessly sacrificed for our country, and we show our enduring gratitude to all who fought to defend freedom against the forces of tyranny and oppression in the Second World War.
In remembrance of Pearl Harbor and to defend our Nation against future attacks, scores of young Americans enlisted in the United States military. In battle after battle, our troops fought with courage and honor. They took the Pacific theater island by island, and eventually swept through Europe, liberating nations as they progressed. Because of their extraordinary valor, America emerged from this test as we always do — stronger than ever before.
We also celebrate those who served and sacrificed on the home front — from families who grew Victory Gardens or donated to the war effort to women who joined the assembly line alongside workers of every background and realized their own power to build a brighter world. Together, our Greatest Generation overcame the Great Depression, and built the largest middle class and strongest economy in history.
Today, with solemn pride and reverence, let us remember those who fought and died at Pearl Harbor, acknowledge everyone who carried their legacy forward, and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the ideals for which they served.
The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2013, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance and to honor our military, past and present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA