Remembering Pearl Harbor

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

04 Dec 2006 04:54 PM

Thursday marks the 65th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry into World War II. In a previous blog I shared my personal story about Hawaii's most popular tourist attraction, which draws more than 1.5 million visitors from around the world each year. Pearl Harbor Naval Base is home to the USS Arizona, the USS Utah, the Battleship Missouri and in 1999, the USS Missouri Memorial opened, further enhancing the importance of this historic area.

To commemorate the event numerous events will be taking place throughout Oahu. If you are lucky enough to be in the Islands this week you may consider attending the following:

What: Pearl Harbor 65th Anniversary Symposium When: Today through Thursday Where: Honolulu's Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa.

The event includes a gathering of authors, historians, Pearl Harbor survivors and Japanese aviators who will recount historic events in a series of lectures, panel discussions, receptions and bus tours to historic attack sites.

What: Pearl Harbor Ball When: Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. Where: Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom

The event features an elegant dinner-dance with Pearl Harbor survivors complete with 1940s-era live music and entertainment. Tickets start at $250 a person; proceeds will help fund a new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum and Visitor Center.

What: Unveiling of new USS Arizona Battleship Museum scale model When: Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. Where: Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Museum

Eight USS Arizona survivors will attend the unveiling.

What: Official commemoration of the attack When: Thursday, 7:40 to 9:30 a.m. Where: Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Kilo Pier

The commemoration of the attack will be simulcast live at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. Highlights will include music by the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, a rifle salute by members of the U.S. Marine Corps, wreath presentations and echo taps. A moment of silence will be observed as 7:55 a.m., the exact time the Japanese attack began 65 years ago. Former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw is the keynote speaker. A limited number of seats are open to the general public.

What: Grand opening of the Pacific Aviation Museum When: Thursday, 11:30 a.m. Where: Ford Island, Pearl Harbor

The event will feature guest speakers Chuck Yeager and Wally Schirra.

What: Groundbreaking for the USS Oklahoma Memorial When: Thursday, 12:30 p.m. Where: Ford Island, Pearl Harbor

The event honors the battleship Oklahoma, which suffered the second-greatest loss of life during the 1941 attack.

Related Articles:

Pearl Harbor: An Unforgettable Trip

Hawaii's "Not So Famous" Military Memorials

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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