![]() In our Nation's history, few events have been as pivotal as the "date which will live in infamy." On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor those who perished in defense of our homeland and the veterans who selflessly answered the call to freedom during World War II. Seventy-six years ago today, on the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese air and naval forces carried out an unprovoked surprise attack on American military installations in Oahu, Hawaii. ![]() Horrific sounds of war shattered that peaceful Sunday morning, and our Nation was forever changed. More than 2,400 Americans lost their lives, and more than 1,000 service members and civilians were wounded in the attack. This horrific act of aggression galvanized the Nation and propelled us into World War II. Americans would not awaken to another peaceful dawn for nearly 4 long years. In our darkest hours, the greatness of America emerged. Throughout the long and difficult war, our citizens remained courageous and resilient. Thousands answered the call to arms, left family and loved ones behind, and embarked on long and onerous journeys to fight America's enemies abroad. On the home front, American industry, ingenuity, and innovation increased our warfighting capacity and helped turn the tide in both the Atlantic and the Pacific theaters. The war effort motivated soldier and civilian alike. Families and communities came together, sacrificing personal comfort and prosperity for the greater good. Our country also solidified partnerships with like-minded nations committed to the promise of freedom. The spirit and soul of our Nation were tested in the fires of adversity, and we emerged even more determined, confident, and resolute. The USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a sacred resting place for many of the ship's 1,177 sailors and Marines who perished on that fateful December morning. Even though these American patriots are entombed in a watery grave within the sunken hull of a battleship, their names are etched into the marble wall in the structure above. Just last month the First Lady and I had the distinct honor of visiting this hallowed site to pay our respects to the American heroes that were taken from us on that infamous day. The rusted wreckage is a haunting and sober reminder of the sacrifice of these heroes and their families, while the iconic, striking white memorial stands as a somber reminder of what we lost and also what we must fight to preserve. Today, a new generation of brave men and women in uniform stand ready to oppose any threat to our Nation and the civilized world. Though the decades have passed, we are careful to never forget the lessons of Pearl Harbor.
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