[ISF]

This being December 7th it is important and proper to acknowledge, reflect upon, and give thanks to those who sacrificed life and limb at Pearl Harbor.

It's been 71 years ago today over 2000 of our best and brightest hero's were attacked by the Japanese without warning.

Let's pray they are at rest and at peace with the eternal gratitude of our nation.

WE MUST NEVER FORGET, NOT EVER!!

[Mud Packer]

Thanks for this important reminder. Some dates in history shouldn't have to be put out for a reminder. This is one of them. However, so many people forget what happened in order for us to celebrate our freedom. RIP.

[Dirtfan]

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii
More than 2,000 people are gathering at Pearl Harbor on Friday to mark the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack that killed thousands of people and launched the United States into World War II.

Ceremonies get under way with a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., the exact time the bombing began in 1941.

The crew of a Navy guided-missile destroyer will stand on deck while the ship passes the USS Arizona, a battleship that still lies in the harbor where it sank decades ago.

Hawaii Air National Guard aircraft will fly overhead in missing man formation.

The Navy and National Park Service are hosting the ceremonies, which are being held in remembrance of the 2,390 service members and 49 civilians killed in the attack.

Friday events will also give special recognition to members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, who flew noncombat missions during World War II, and to ray Emory, a 91-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor who has pushed to identify the remains of unknown servicemen.

Admiral Cecil Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, is scheduled to give the keynote address at the ceremony. The ceremony will also include a Hawaiian blessing, songs played by the U.S. Pacific Fleet band and a rifle salute from the U.S. Marine Corps.

President Barack Obama marked the day on Thursday by issuing a presidential proclamation, calling for flags to fly at half-staff on Friday and asking all Americans to observe the day of remembrance and honor military service members and veterans.

"Today, we pay solemn tribute to America's sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice at Oahu," Obama said in a statement. "As we do, let us also reaffirm that their legacy will always burn bright _ whether in the memory of those who knew them, the spirit of service that guides our men and women in uniform today, or the heart of the country they kept strong and free."

The Navy and park service will resume taking visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial, which sits atop the sunken battleship, after the ceremony.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/1...n-dead-120612/

[old time Hoosier]

Originally Posted by ISF This being December 7th it is important and proper to acknowledge, reflect upon, and give thanks to those who sacrificed life and limb at Pearl Harbor. It's been 71 years ago today over 2000 of our best and brightest hero's were attacked without warning. Let's pray they are at rest and at peace with the eternal gratitude of our nation. WE MUST NEVER FORGET, NOT EVER!!

A very fitting tribute. I had a shirt tail relative at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day. Now 71 years later and he is still there with his shipmates entombed in the Arizona.

[Sprintcarfanatic]

If you have never been there You need to go in your lifetime. You can only imagine what those guys thought that morning, Wondering what in the hell is happening as they were hearing those planes come out of no where & then on top of you in a heartbeat. I thought about that very thing as I stood on the Memorial.