#PEARL HARBOR DAY REMEMBRANCE FREE#

In fact, we relocated the Pacific Fleet from California to Hawaii in 1940, a move designed to give pause to a potential adversary – the original Rebalance to the Indo-Asia-Pacific, if you will.Įven so, 75 years ago, the United States was strategically surprised, caught flat-footed by Imperial Japan. But we looked westward as well, where we saw the militaristic rise of Imperial Japan. As America looked eastward, toward Europe, we watched as a military dictatorship in Germany began to grow in power and fascist Italy allied itself to Nazi Germany. They say that hindsight is 20/20, for history has shown us that the alarm bells had been sounding throughout the 1930s. Today, we have a precious opportunity to reflect – to reflect on what it means to be a patriot, to reflect on what it means to be a nation tested by war, and to reflect on both the costs and the blessings of liberty. These scars remind us of our history and how America responded with conspicuous valor. and on the bodies and in the minds of the veterans here with us today. the bullet holes in the buildings at Ford Island and Hickam Field. The battleships USS Arizona and USS Utah still entombed in these waters behind me. The scars remain and we see them all around us. In less than two hours, there were over 2,400 killed, 1,200 wounded, a majority of the US Pacific Fleet taken out of action.

It was a day of gallantry and unquestionable heroism, even as it was a day of sacrifice and immeasurable loss. almost as long as this speech is gonna be. The surprise assault by the Imperial Japanese Navy lasted all of 110 chaotic minutes. and of course, right here at Pearl Harbor.Īnd it fell upon the shoulders of brave Americans, like these here in the front rows, to respond to crisis that fateful day. We were attacked all across Oahu: at Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Field. her Marine Corps and the Territory of Hawaii by surprise. The horrific events that took place here caught America. No one knew it would be the last moment of peace for almost 4 years. Indeed, some of the veterans joining us today were probably thinking about spending the day on the beach, playing baseball, hanging out with friends, or listening to the battle of the bands at Bloch Arena right here on this base. thank you for what you do every day to remember these hallowed places and congratulations on your centennial year.ĭistinguished guests and ladies and gentlemen, just prior to the attacks 75 years ago – on a morning not unlike this one – people not unlike us were waking up to enjoy another day in paradise. Gary Sinise, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood – thanks for entertaining our troops.FOX Sports executives Eric Shanks and Larry Jones – thanks for highlighting our veterans, past and present, for the second year in a row.Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, Admiral Fargo, fellow retired and serving Flag and General Officers.Esteemed members of our consular and diplomatic corps.

Mayors Caldwell and Carvalho, state and city leaders.

Governors Ariyoshi, Torres, Ducey, and of course Governor Ige.

So please help me welcome again, these patriots with a grateful nation's round of applause.įolks, Superintendent Ashwell mentioned our many distinguished guests, but I would like to recognize a few of our honored attendees. At that ‘dawn’s early light’, they ran to battle stations and to the sound of the guns, as they moved boldly to begin the defense of our country. That fateful Sunday morning 75 years ago, they were about to conduct morning colors when they were surprised to hear the sounds of real ‘bombs bursting in air’ instead of the reassuring melody of our nation’s anthem.

#PEARL HARBOR DAY REMEMBRANCE FREE#

Hearing the words ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave’ means something special for every American, every day.īut today, on December 7th, it takes on extraordinary significance, as we’re joined here in this hallowed place by World War II veterans and survivors of the attacks on military bases all across Oahu including right here at Pearl Harbor. Thanks, John, for that introduction and for your terrific stewardship of this historic region.

You can bet that the men and women we honor today – and those who died that fateful morning 75 years ago – never took a knee and never failed to stand whenever they heard our national anthem being played. Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up one more time for Petty Officer Lamonica and the Pacific Fleet Band for that inspirational rendition of the national anthem. Marking the 75th Anniversary of the Attacks on Oahu National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration

Pearl harbor day remembrance