President Proclaims National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2012 - "Today, we pay solemn tribute to America's sons
and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice at Oahu. As we do, let us
also reaffirm that their legacy will always burn bright -- whether in the
memory of those who knew them, the spirit of service that guides our men and
women in uniform today, or the heart of the country they kept strong and
free," President Barak Obama said in his proclamation issued today declaring
Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The proclamation reads:
"On December 7, 1941, our Nation suffered one of the most devastating
attacks ever to befall the American people. In less than 2 hours, the bombs
that rained on Pearl Harbor robbed thousands of men, women, and children of
their lives; in little more than a day, our country was thrust into the
greatest conflict the world had ever known. We mark this anniversary by honoring
the patriots who perished more than seven decades ago, extending our
thoughts and prayers to the loved ones they left behind, and showing our
gratitude to a generation of service members who carried our Nation through some
of the 20th century's darkest moments.

"In his address to the Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt affirmed
that "with confidence in our Armed Forces -- with the unbounding
determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph." Millions stood
up and shipped out to meet that call to service, fighting heroically on
Europe's distant shores and pressing island by island across the Pacific.
Millions more carried out the fight in factories and shipyards here at home,
building the arsenal of democracy that propelled America to the victory
President Roosevelt foresaw. On every front, we faced down impossible odds -- and
out of the ashes of conflict, America rose more prepared than ever to meet
the challenges of the day, sure that there was no trial we could not
overcome.

"Today, we pay solemn tribute to America's sons and daughters who made the
ultimate sacrifice at Oahu. As we do, let us also reaffirm that their
legacy will always burn bright -- whether in the memory of those who knew them,
the spirit of service that guides our men and women in uniform today, or
the heart of the country they kept strong and free.
"The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December
7 of each year as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2012, as National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance
and to honor our military, past and present, with appropriate ceremonies
and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations,
groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff
this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of
their service at Pearl Harbor."