Veterans gathered in Hawaii and across the United States Tuesday to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor 80 years ago.
The National Park Service held a ceremony at the Pearl Harbor memorial site to commemorate the events of Dec. 7, 1941 - a day that then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously dubbed as 'a date which will live in infamy'.
The Dec. 7, 1941 attack killed 2,403 service members and civilians, shaking the nation and ultimately leading the US to enter World War II. More than a thousand others were wounded.
Thousands gathered Tuesday to honor the fallen, support the survivors and bring closure to the hundreds of families who have waited years for their loved ones to be identified.
Memorials were held in Washington DC, New York City and across the nation, featuring the laying of wreaths, playing of taps and moments of silence.
Veterans gathered in Hawaii and across the United States Tuesday to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor 80 years ago
The National Park Service held a ceremony at the Pearl Harbor memorial site to commemorate the events of Dec. 7, 1941 - a day that then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously dubbed as 'a date which will live in infamy'
Thousands gathered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Tuesday (pictured) to honor the fallen, support the survivors and bring closure to the hundreds of families who have waited years for their loved ones to be identified
The remembrance ceremony in Hawaii began at 7.40am local time, followed by a moment of silence at 7.55am - the moment the attack began 80 years ago.
Military personnel were seen saluting, greeting veterans and offering their support the nation's heroes.
The 80th anniversary of the attack also marked the competition of a longtime project aiming to identify 396 of the 429 USS Oklahoma crew members who died in the attack.
Those in charge of the identification efforts called Tuesday's ceremony 'truly a momentous occasion.'
'To say it is a milestone is not an understatement,' Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency told the Epoch Times.
'It was the right thing to do, to provide answers to the families about their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.'
The remembrance ceremony began at 7.40am Hawaii local time, followed by a moment of silence at 7.55am - the moment the attack began 80 years ago
Attendees are seen at the 80th Pearl Harbor Anniversary ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Honolulu
Military personnel were seen saluting, greeting veterans and offering their support the nation's heroes
Ronald G. Scharfe, a World War II veteran, observes the USS Arizona Memorial during a World War II veterans harbor tour as part of the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Remembrance on December 5, 2021
In the nation's capitol, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden made an early morning visit to the World War II Memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of the attack and to honor Bob Dole.
Veterans, military members and their loved ones watched as the president paid his respects.
Biden appeared emotional as he looked out over the granite memorial honoring the 418,500 Americans who died in the second world war.
The first couple brought a wreath with them that contained one wild sunflower, the state flower of Kansas, according to the White House, to honor Dole, a World War II veteran who died on Sunday.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden made an early morning visit to the World War II Memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of the attack and to honor Bob Dole
Veterans, military members and their loved ones watched as the president paid his respects
Biden appeared emotional as he looked out over the granite memorial honoring the 418,500 Americans who died in the second world war
WWII veteran Harry Miller. 93, attends an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
During the solomon visit, made on an overcast and chilly day in Washington, the
