Look across the harbor at USS MISSOURI and consider the scale of many ships like that berthed at Ford Island. There were a lot of heroes that day, and unimaginable destruction. These stories taught me the importance of defending freedom and serving our nation - and this inspired me down a path to do just that. My dad and so many from the Greatest Generation are no longer with us, but I still hear their stories. As you can imagine, growing up, I listened to my dad’s stories of duty, honor, and courage. Just a few days before Pearl Harbor was attacked – on a quiet Sunday morning not unlike this morning – our aircraft carriers had pulled out of Pearl Harbor. Mayor Caldwell, Mayor Mori and all of our guests from abroad ĭefense Minister Parrikar, Ambassador Singh and the visiting delegation from India Įsteemed members of our consular and diplomatic corps įox Sports executives Eric Shanks and Larry Jones - thank you for highlighting our veterans, past and present, by telling such great stories during this weekend's sports broadcasts Īnd most of all, a special welcome to the “Greatest Generation,” our World War Ⅱ veterans and Pearl Harbor survivors, to whom we owe an immeasurable debt for their heroic efforts and why we are all here today.ĭecember 7th is always a day of special meaning for me personally - 74 years ago, my dad was an enlisted Sailor on the aircraft carrier USS LEXINGTON, which was usually docked at Ford Island just behind me. State and city leaders … Governors Ige and Ducey … Since I can’t do that, let me take just a moment to recognize a few honored attendees: pretend I’m taller, grayer, with the steely blue eyes of a surface warrior, and the eloquence of a seasoned diplomat and we’ll be okay - even though I’ll probably say half as many words in twice the time due to my Tennessee-drawl.Īs I look around, I realize there are so many distinguished guests here today that I could spend this entire speech trying to acknowledge everyone.
SECNAV sends his regrets that he could not attend today’s ceremony - and that he couldn’t find someone better to fill in for him. Let me begin by saying that I bring you best wishes from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. 74 th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration,
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