Governor Haslam Proclaims Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and state Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder today announced December 7, 2012 as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
On December 7, 1941 more than 3,500 Americans serving in the United States military stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, were killed or wounded in an unprovoked attack by the Air and Naval forces serving Japan.
Images of burning battleships and the grief of lives dominated the entire country and American allies. During an address to the American people, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed December 7, 1941 is a “date which will live in infamy”.
The United States Congress, by Public Law 103 308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day” to recognize and honor brave heroes who died and demonstrate deep gratitude and admiration for their sacrifice.
“It has been 71 years since the attacks on Pearl Harbor, a day that changed our country,” Haslam said. “Twenty Tennessee service members were killed on the USS Arizona during the attack, along with thousands of other American heroes, and today we remember their sacrifice.”
“The attacks on Pearl Harbor fortified our Nation’s spirit, but the darkness of that day remain burned in the memories of survivors,” Grinder said. “On this day, we remember the precious lives lost, the Veterans who survived that unprovoked attack and the families who lost loved ones. It is a privilege to meet, listen and learn from Pearl Harbor survivors and I would encourage everyone to take advantage of that opportunity while it still exists.”
Commissioner Grinder will present Governor Haslam’s Pearl Harbor Remembrance Proclamations to Pearl Harbor survivors William Ferguson, George Westover as well as Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Director Juan Morales during the Pearl Harbor Day 71st Anniversary Commemoration ceremony at the Flynn G. Humphreys Chapel at the VA Medical Center- Nashville, 1310 24th Avenue South, at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, December 7. Media contact is Christopher Alexander at (615) 873-7932.
Commissioner Grinder will also present the Governor’s proclamation during Senator Bob Corker’s Rally Point Veterans Outreach Event at the Gallatin Civic Center, 210 Albert Gallatin Avenue at 9:00 a.m. (CST) on Friday, December 7. Media contact is Micah Johnson or Chuck Harper at (202) 228-6523.
The Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs is organized to accomplish its mission of serving Tennessee's veterans and their families with dignity and compassion, and being their principle advocate in ensuring they receive the care, support, earned entitlements, and recognition they earned in service to our nation. For more information, visit the department’s web site at www.tn.gov/veteran, facebook/myTDVA or twitter @TNDVA.
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