Thursday Dec. 7 marks National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and is the 82nd anniversary since the attack in Hawaii that began the U.S.'s involvement in World War II.
On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese military made a surprise attack on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of service members and civilians, over a thousand injuries, the sinking of American ships and destruction of aircrafts. The next day, the U.S. declared war on Japan and entered into World War II.
There is no documentation of how many veterans who survived Pearl Harbor are still alive in 2023, according to Taylor Smith, education program specialist at Pacific Historic Parks, which plans the commemoration events. Invitations this year were extended to 85 known Pearl Harbor Veterans, and only six RSVPed they will attend. One who is attending is 102 years young.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimated there were about 119,000, or about 1%, of the 16.1 million Americans who served in World War II still alive as of September. Statistics estimate that the veterans, the youngest of whom are now in their 90s, are dying at the rate of about 131 each day, according to the National World War II Museum.
If you have a family member or a friend who served in World War II please thank them for their service and inquire how they are doing.
On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese military made a surprise attack on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of service members and civilians, over a thousand injuries, the sinking of American ships and destruction of aircrafts. The next day, the U.S. declared war on Japan and entered into World War II.
There is no documentation of how many veterans who survived Pearl Harbor are still alive in 2023, according to Taylor Smith, education program specialist at Pacific Historic Parks, which plans the commemoration events. Invitations this year were extended to 85 known Pearl Harbor Veterans, and only six RSVPed they will attend. One who is attending is 102 years young.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimated there were about 119,000, or about 1%, of the 16.1 million Americans who served in World War II still alive as of September. Statistics estimate that the veterans, the youngest of whom are now in their 90s, are dying at the rate of about 131 each day, according to the National World War II Museum.
If you have a family member or a friend who served in World War II please thank them for their service and inquire how they are doing.
