Pearl Harbor Day happened on December 7, 1941. Sixty-eight years later we still remember Pearl Harbor Day and the events of December 7, 1941. My husband's father fought in World War II, which inspired my husband to join the Marines and fight in Vietnam.

Pearl Harbor Day remembers Operation Z or the Hawaii Operation, its name according to Japanese Imperial General Headquarters. On the morning of December 7, 1941, a surprise military strike was conducted by the Japanese navy against the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Today we solemnly remember the events of Pearl Harbor Day.

The Pearl Harbor Day attack was meant to be preventative and keep the US out of the war. Two aerial attach waves were launched by the Japanese. Four US Navy battleships were sunk. Four more battleships were damaged. Two were later raised and returned to serve in the war.

After the Pearl Harbor Day attack, Wikipedia reports the US damages included three destroyers, three cruisers, 188 aircraft with 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. Losses for the Japanese were minimal including 29 aircraft, 5 midget submarines, 1 soldier captured and 65 servicemen wounded or killed.

As a result of the events on December 7, 1941, the US became militarily involved in World War II. The Pearl Harbor Day attack happened before Japan made a formal declaration of war. Because of the surprise attack, the US went from isolationist to supporting direct participation in World War II.

US President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, “December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy.”

On the Japanese side, Admiral Hara Tadaichi said, “We won a great tactical victory at Pearl Harbor and thereby lost the war.”

I extend my sincere thanks to all the veterans who served in World War II and protected our freedom. Pearl Harbor Day and the events of December 7, 1941 remind us of the possibility of surprise attacks.

Today the USS Arizona Memorial is a place to remember Pearl Harbor Day and visit the final resting place of many of the 1177 crew members of the battleship who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.

If you’ve noticed flags flying at half-mast today, you may have wondered why. Well if you glance at a calendar you will see that today is the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and the flags are flying at half-mast to honor those who died in the attack.

On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, the American Army and Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The attack came as a surprise to the American Army and Navy and lead to great losses of life and equipment. More than 2000 American citizens were killed and more than 1000 were injured. Following the attack, the United States declared a war on Japan.

Veterans and other related organizations throughout the nation will hold ceremonies today commemorating the date with the biggest ceremony taking place in Hawaii. The United States National Parks Service and the United States Navy will host joint memorial ceremony commemorating the 68th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Monday, December 7, 2009 on the Naval Station Pearl Harbor’s Kilo Pier, from 7:40 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The ceremony will include music by the Pacific Fleet Band, morning colors, a Hawaiian blessing, a rifle salute by members of the U.S. Marine Corps, wreath presentations, echo taps and recognition of the men and women who survived that December 7, 1941, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

At 7:55 a.m. - the exact moment the Japanese attack began 68 years ago - a moment of silence will be observed. The USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) will render honors to the USS Arizona. Military aircraft will fly over the memorial in a "missing man" formation. The event is free of charge and the general public is invited to attend. The general public will be transported to the event on U.S. Navy shuttle boats on a first come first served basis, between 6:20 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. the visitors center will open at 5:30 a.m.