Pearl Harbor Remembrance Marks 84 Years Without Survivors Attending
HONOLULU, Hawaii — The annual Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony on December 7, 2025, solemnly marked the 84th anniversary of the Japanese attack that thrust the United States into World War II. This year’s observance was historic and poignant, as no survivors of the attack were able to attend for the first time since the ceremony’s inception. Only 12 of the original troops who were stationed on Oahu during the attack remain alive today, all centenarians, and none made the pilgrimage to Hawaii to participate in the event.
The ceremony began at 7:55 a.m., the exact time the bombing commenced in 1941, with a moment of silence held at the Pearl Harbor military base’s waterfront. David Ono, the master of ceremonies, reflected on the significance of remembering the day “when the prospects for peace were shattered and our nation was plunged into global war.” The attack claimed more than 2,300 American lives and forever altered the course of history.
For decades, survivors of the attack have been the heart of the remembrance events, sharing firsthand accounts and embodying the legacy of the Greatest Generation. However, as time has passed, their numbers have dwindled dramatically. At the 50th anniversary in 1991, approximately 2,000 survivors attended. In recent years, only a few dozen veterans have participated, with just two survivors present last year. The dwindling attendance underscores the passage of time since that fateful day and the importance of preserving their stories.
The USS Arizona Memorial, a symbol of sacrifice and remembrance, served as the backdrop for the ceremony. The memorial stands over the sunken battleship, where many of those killed in the attack still rest. The National Park Service, which manages the site, has worked alongside the Navy to maintain the solemnity and reverence of the annual event.
While the pandemic caused the 2020 ceremony to be closed to the public, survivors have otherwise consistently been part of the observance. Their absence this year highlights the urgent need for younger generations to carry forward the memory and lessons of Pearl Harbor.
Ono emphasized that the ceremony is not only a moment of reflection and gratitude but also a call to action. He urged attendees and the nation to build upon the foundation laid by those who served during World War II, ensuring that the sacrifices made continue to inspire peace and vigilance.
The attack on Pearl Harbor remains a defining moment in American history, documented extensively by the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command and commemorated through educational programs by the National Park Service. The Department of Defense continues to honor the legacy of those who served and died that day through various initiatives and memorials.
As the nation reflects on the 84th anniversary, the absence of survivors at the ceremony serves as a solemn reminder of the passage of time and the enduring importance of remembrance. The stories of those who lived through the attack, preserved through oral histories and archives, remain vital to understanding the sacrifices made and the resilience that followed.
For more information on the Pearl Harbor attack and ongoing commemorations, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command and the National Park Service’s Pearl Harbor site.
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