Between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, a somber day hangs on the calendar, where the entire nation pauses to remember a time when falling Japanese bombs on a Naval base in far-off Hawaii shattered American peace. It has been 71 years since that morning, but those memories—and President Roosevelt’s words after the attack—are still a part of our national conscience.

Over 2,300 troops lost their lives in the attack, most of them aboard the USS Arizona when it sank in the harbor. The folks who defended the base went on to help defeat the Axis powers all over the world.

But the tyranny of the clock is catching up with them; over 600 World War II Veterans pass away each day. We’re losing priceless history with every passing day.

So what can you do? Start by listening to their stories while they’re still with us. Every generation of Veterans can learn something from these men and women. Take the time to know the sights and sounds of the day of infamy. Read about how one Pearl Harbor survivor is helping to identify the dead. And check out video from that day to put images to these harrowing stories.

Later today, World War II Veterans will gather at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC to place a wreath in memory of those who perished in the attacks at Pearl Harbor. They haven’t forgotten, and neither will we.

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7 Comments

  1. C.L.Cook December 7, 2012 at 23:00

    Please pray for all veterans, past, present, and future..they were and are our countries pride. Thank you for your service.

  2. Dave Weinstein December 7, 2012 at 21:16

    I have the honor and privilege of attending the ceremonies at the visitors center in Pearl harbor. I live in Hawaii on Oahu and attend every year the memorial service..every year fewer and fewer survivors are there..so..if you ever get to go please talk wtih the survivors asa they are living history and something you will never get in a history book

  3. Ana Cuebas December 7, 2012 at 20:53

    I live at awe honoring President Franklin Delano Roosevelt for standing up from his wheelchair to lead the United States of America to be the most powerful nation of the world at this Pearl Harbor anniversary.

  4. Thomas G. Goss Jr. December 7, 2012 at 18:48

    I will NEVER forget.

  5. kamilu December 7, 2012 at 18:29

    we thanks God for today.

  6. David Rogers December 7, 2012 at 18:15

    It really bad tie that day,my dad &2uncles seraved in WW2,they came home thousands didn’t,the only one with any problem,1 uncle had a glass eye&hearing loss,they were proud to serve this country.My dad never talked about it,today we honor them today,not only those who came home,but those who didn’t come back,to the families who remain I take my cap off to you,I served in the Navy during Vietnam,I sometimes talk about it at times
    m

  7. Al Senn December 7, 2012 at 17:47

    It is a shame that we will be hearing stories from our war veterans for many, many years to come. WWII veterans dying off at 600 per day!!! Then we have veterans from Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Cuba, Bosnia, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan and so on. Stories from 71 years ago with our WWII veterans…Afghanistan still going on…we’re looking at the veterans telling us stories from this war in 2083. War just plain SUCKS!!! I know…combat veteran, Vietnam 1970.

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