WWII Memorial commemorates 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - On the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, veterans and visitors came together in remembrance at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.

Standing in front of the Memorial, volunteers read the names of the more than 2,400 Americans who were killed on December 7, 1941.

“This is a place of unity and for veterans, their families, and citizens to gather and remember what they did for us 80 years ago,” said Sam Smith with the Friends of the National World War II Memorial.

The verbal tribute was part of a special ceremony and wreath-laying, commemorating the anniversary.

At 12:53 p.m., matching the time of the first attack, Friends and National Park Services began the event.

“It’s a nice sunny day, but it’s chilly,” said WWII Veteran George Arnstein. “I’m here.”

Arnstein was one of only twenty or so WWII veterans in attendance. He was drafted into the army in 1943 and reflected on his own service, as the nation observed the occasion.

“We are remembering that we started something, or it was started for us, and we won,” said Arnstein.

Organizers also took a moment to honor the late Senator Bob Dole who, after being gravely wounded during the war, came home, and helped to create the National World War II Memorial.

Around 16 million Americans served during World War II. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs estimates less than 400,000 are still alive today.

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