let us pray. our gracious, heavenly father, we thank you for the many blessings that you have bestowed upon each of us as americans. you are the great and mighty god. we humbly bow our and our hearts before you. this day it is from your that we receive the precious gifts of this life for your word tells us that every good gift and every perfect gift from above and coming down from the father of lights today, we recollect and pay tribute to a day of infamy in the annals of american history. a turning point that set us on a collision course for the second world war. but was our destiny as a people, which united us even more so as

nation. and although none of would have ever chosen war, it was providential in the timeline of our chosen for it brought about the defeat of evil which threatened numbers of innocent people and which threaten freedom itself more. we are grateful for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on fateful day in pearl harbor years ago. help us, dear lord, to never forget that which occurred upon that day. but even more importantly to never forget our fellow americans were wounded and those who lost their lives upon that day. we are grateful for the peace that we now share with those who we once consider our enemies. and we pray that that same peace will become prominent throughout our world between all we realize that peace doesn't always come without conflict, but we pray that in as much as it is possible that peace would come to our world without the necessity of conflict, we also recognize that true can ultimately only come through. you we ask lord that your providence of care and

protection be upon those who are serving today in the united states military and for those who are deployed for their safety and for their loved ones back home while they are away defending our freedom may you bring them home swiftly and safely to their families. lastly, dear lord, may we may you guide and grant wisdom to those in leadership positions in our country. may you lighten the weighted burdens upon their shoulders by encouraging them and lifting up during difficult days as they seek to lead our country. please bless this ceremony now and is to you that we ask all these things in prayer today. amen. please be seated. the of the national world war two memorial. all is privileged to co-host today's ceremony. many with the national park service caretakers of this impressive memorial where we gather afternoon we are honored

to have with us here today superintend of the national mall and memorial parks. mr. jeffrey reinbold. good afternoon. behalf of the national park service. welcome to this observance of pearl harbor, remembrance day at the world two memorial. i'm to welcome each of you to extend a special welcome to our veterans including the members of honor flight austin their families and support our distinguished guests, especially admiral christopher w grady, vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. thanks also the united states navy ceremonial band and mary milburn for their musical performances today. we pause this afternoon to reflect on the events of december 7th, 1941, on that tragic day, america was attacked, drawn into a war it did not seek, although the assault killed more than 2400

and was a setback to the pacific fleet, it failed in its broader purpose to be a knockout blow to the united states, to destroy our will, to fight an attack that was supposed to break americans will to fight instead only strengthen the bonds of patriotism and camaraderie, pearl harbor and the way americans responded to the challenge were emblematic of our shared heritage and the values unite us. values reflected upon here at. the world war two memorial president franklin roosevelt's address to congress. december 8th, 1941, included appeal that always will our whole nation remember the nature of the previous attack at pearl harbor. 81 years later, this memorial and those of us gathered here today, our testimony this nation has not forgotten the heroes of december seven, 1941, that we do remember pearl harbor today.

remember the 2400 americans who gave their lives that day, their devotion to duty, their sacrifice, their valor is not forgotten nor is the service, the sacrifice of the 16 million men and women answered their nation's call over the next four years and who fought for freedom and democracy around the globe. this place commands our reverence not only as a test ammonium of what happened in december 7th, but also because it helps us understand the monumental trial and sacrifice of those who helped shape our nation, our government and our society. the national park service. it is proud we are proud to the custodian of this memorial, along with our partners and volunteers, to be entrusted with the care and the memory of the men and women, military and civilian, who sacrifice and service made that victory possible.

thank you. founded. 2007 by the creators of the national world war two memorial and dedicated to teaching the lessons of yesterday to unite generations of tomorrow. the friends of the national world war memorial is proud to join national park service in bringing together individuals all ages and backgrounds for national ceremonies like, this one for for educational programs centered around themes of, unity and the spirit community, friends of the national world war two memorial is privileged to have great leaders helping to guide our mission. leaders like mrs. jane droppa. good afternoon.

admiral grady. we are privileged to have you here with us today at this special place, this important day. a very sincere thanks to the national park service and national mall and memorial park superintendent jeffrey reinbold, our for today's ceremony for the park service continue you partnership as we strive to honor and preserve the memory of all those who served in the military and on the home front during world war and. thanks to each of you for being here to show your commitment to remembering the men and women who gave their yesterdays for all of our today's and tomorrow's us. we are especially grateful to have this remarkable group of world war two veterans with us today. their service dedicate passion and sacrifice made victory possible, founded by the

creators of this memorial, friends of the national world war two, memorial is proud to bring individuals of all ages and backgrounds for national like this one today and for educational programs centered. the themes of unity and the spirit of community our founder, hayden williams was on the battle was on the island of midway today, 81 years ago, and was also bombed. additionally, the past eight years. friends has been leading the effort to add president roosevelt's d-day prayer to the world war two memorials. circle of remembrance, which can be outside the atlantic arch over there, thanks to a generous grant from the lilly endowment of indianapolis, indiana. work on the new addition began this summer and is expected to

be completed before the end the year. this will be an important and meaningful addition to the memorial, providing contemplative space to reflect on and to remember the more than 400,000 american consoles lost during world war. now more than at any time since war two, it is vital that we remember the sacrifices made by the world war two generation on this pearl harbor, remembrance day. i'm proud to join you in paying tribute to. 2403 souls lost 81 years ago. and in saluting the generous of americans, the greatest generation who responded with strength and courage in service of our nation, they are not

forgotten. we remember them thank you. before we continue, we'd like to offer a very warm to the veterans, guardians and staff of honor flight austin. i'm now pleased to introduce a very special musical performance. we're privileged have with us today. supremely talented actress and singer mary milburn, who will perform a special tribute to our veterans. it's great to be here with all

my friends. while the storm clouds gather. from across the sea we let us play church allegiance. to have that and that's free with that a song. be great for o war and let something. has been left. her voice has where the small

prayer where god bless america car had that i. stand beside have had to hide her through the night with the light from by from the mouth it is the prayer is to the ocean eyes wide. o just oh oh hi. oh, how sweet.

oh oh, oh, oh, america. it is the greatest country in the world. the goal of all of these men and women. god on their. come on, sing it with me. yes god sang beside her, has her divine love. broken down. right. oh, oh, oh, my heart sweet. oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, my.

oh. oh oh. oh, oh, oh, oh. america. and god bless world war two veterans. i'm now honored to introduce our esteemed guests and treasured heroes who joined us today, our world war two veterans. hermann hayden, served as an

infantryman in the army's indian head division and went ashore in france, omaha beach on d-day. plus one. he was wounded by machine gunfire on july 27th, 1944, outside of lo, he received numerous awards, including the bronze star. after the he spent three decades at the university of texas building research equipment for various departments and retired. george arnstein served. as the united states army's 76 cavalry reconnaissance troop mechanized in the theater including the battle, the bulge. after the war, mr. arnstein went

on to earn a bachelor's and ph.d. from the diversity of at berkeley. ralph major joined the united states army air forces when he was just 18. he was preparing for air cadet training process veterans points for discharge. when the war ended, he was sent to randolph field process enlisted payroll. robert waddell in the united states army in the european theater of operations with the american graves register asian command during the korean war. he was part of a team that rescued good americans who'd been shot down behind lines.

melvin belsky served in the european theater of operations. for occupation duty in germany. duties to manage medical functions. an american prisoner of war camp. jack maroney was a 17 year old at the university texas austin when the japanese bombed pearl harbor. he went immediately to the recruiter's office where the line was a few blocks long, told he was too young to come back when he was 18. he did and enlisted in the united marine corps, serving the uss enterprise as a 20

millimeter anti-air gunner. from 1943 to 1945. after the war. he became a lawyer and his practiced. since 1957. rose stern joined the navy in august of 1942, serving at a telegraph for first class in the waves. she was a communications supervisor for incoming and outgoing communications with aircraft until she was discharged in december 1945. mrs. dern is 101 years young. retired air force major lou

griffith joined the united states air forces in 1942 and was stationed in corsica italy. serving in the 12th air force, he piloted a bomber on 42 successful missions over italy. he served 27 years in the air force and was stationed in saigon as environmental engineer, received his bachelor's master's in engineering at the university of texas austin. major griffith turned 99 years young, just three days ago. retired army lieutenant huey lamb was attending texas a&m and, left school to join the u.s. army air corps. he flew 47 thunderbolt in 51 mustangs from july.

1944 through the end of the war in europe. he is credited with shooting down one of the first emmy to 62 german fighters and is an ace with a combine. six aircraft destroyed in the air and on the ground. james joined the army in 1943. served as a firefighter and pump truck operator. he was in the op occupying force in tokyo where he helped put out a massive fire following his discharge in 1946. james work as a longshoreman and now lives in beautiful hutto, texas, just outside of austin. escape all our veterans one more hand, please.

i'm now privileged to welcome to our podium. today's keynotes speaker, adm christopher grady, the 12th vice chairman of the joint chiefs of admiral grady, a native of newport, rhode island, and graduate the university of notre dame, is the nation's second highest ranking military officer. prior, becoming vice chairman, admiral grady served as commander. the united states fleet forces based in norfolk, virginia. admiral grady is the navy's old salt. recognizing his extend of knowledge and expertise as a

professional mariner and as the longest serving, active duty surface warfare officer in, the united states navy, admiral grady, thank you. good afternoon, everyone. thank you for joining us here today. and i think you would agree with me that it is an honor to be in the presence of these great americans. so how about one more round of applause for. so a special thanks to everyone who helped pull this ceremony together. jeff, thanks. great to see you again. jane, it is a great pleasure to meet you and thanks for all that. you do. to make this a wonderful ceremony here with the friends of the national war two memorial. and i'm delighted to also welcome to the to the rostrum. mr. leslie, who is the deputy administrator. and how about another round of applause for mary and that wonderful rendition?

thank you, mary mary. but of course. most important. the most important here are these men and women that you see here are world war two veterans. this a storied group that fought around the world in both the pacific and european theaters. thank you all of you for your incredible courage. thank you for your sacrifice in the most violent conflict act in human history. the second world war. today, we observe the 81st anniversary of the japanese attack on pearl harbor, and we are gathered here to recognize nice a day that defined generation and. indeed, december 7th, 1941 is a day that changed the course of history. for two years. our dark cloud over europe.

as nations fell and as millions suffered. the tyranny of the nazi war machine. and meanwhile, after the horrors of world, one that saw over 300,000 american casualties. this nation was weary of being drawn into another european conflict. and yet 30 tyranny lurked in the shadows and would spread throughout the and the empire of japan was planning a decisive action. they had one goal to cripple our pacific fleet so that america would opt for peace. but this was a terrible miscalculate. and the japanese that held failed to account for the most important variable, the indomitable american will. and fighting spirit. just before 8 a.m., the soldiers

the sailors, the airmen and the marines in oahu were starting their morning routine, enjoying a crisp hawaiian sun. three waves of japanese air craft attack with bombs and torpedoes seeking maximum destruct in the united was unsuspecting. but we did stand fight and in this sliver of time 15 sailors and a marine exuded the valor that warranted congressional medal of honor. sailors like chief aviation man john finn, who drove from his home to the naval air station to man a 50 caliber machine gun. and even after being severely wounded, he continued repel enemy aircraft like machinists mate first class robert scott, who chose to stay in a floating compartment of the uss calif. to keep an air compressor

functioning. that allowed the battleships guns to keep firing until the ship finally went down. and like jackson ferris of the uss california, who repeatedly entered flooded compartments to his unconscious shipmates, even though oil filled his own and he lost consciousness. he survived pearl harbor was commissioned and returned to combat, participating the bombardment of japan in the 90 minute attack, 2403 americans perished, 19 u.s. navy ships and 328 aircraft were damaged, destroyed. and yet an untold number of americans did what had to be done to protect their and sisters in arms. this carnage, this death and destruction one could not

contain the american will. the american fighting spirit. and in that moment, we see americans, ordinary americans, display extraordinary character. it is a moment when impossible valor of a few inspired a nation of many engraved on the walls here. over here on my right in white granite from the hills of south carolina are the words president franklin delano roosevelt delivered on famous date. and he said, quote, no matter how long may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the american people in their right shirts and might will win through to absolute victory. and that is exactly what this nation did. 16 million donned the cloth of our to serve on freedom's frontier and across the home.

this nation unified for a singular mission to defeat tyranny for the next 45 months we fought across 44 campaigns in the cities of europe and and on the islands of the pacific. 1600. 160,000. allied soldiers stormed the beaches of normandy against a hardened enemy the mighty eighth air force put up 1500 bomber raids over the skies of europe ike and bradley and patton created two stiff defense that repelled germany's last push at the battle of the bulge. and on the northern line, staunch 99th infantry outnumbered, 5 to 1 imposed a casualties at a rate. of 18 to 1. meanwhile, bull halsey and chester nimitz and chesty puller led the fleet into the fight,

taking on empire of japan. and so americans sacrificed their lives in the hedges of europe and on coral of the pacific. they fought on land thousands of miles from their homes and birthplaces. and they fought justly for humanity in the conduct of great power. war. this memorial here tells, the story of the greatest generation that stood tall in the face of oppression. and we are here to honor that sacrificed so and of course, the price of freedom is always high and it is always paid in on the walls here or an array. 4048 gold stars each signifying the final military sacrifice of 100 of our very best. it is that freedom is worth dying for. it is proof that no matter the

cost, brave men and women will answer this nation's call. thus, this generation committed their lives to ensure that the constitution could be passed down to our generation. it is the same reason why serve why five generations of my family have served and continue to serve. and it is the reason why those here in the front have sacrificed so much. and it is why, no matter the cost, the anchors of freedom will always hold fast against the tides of aggression. it is the very essence of the american spirit, of what it means to be american. and nothing will change that. thank you. and may god bless the united states of america.

ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated while we now prepare for the official wreath laying at the memorial to freedom, all.

representing the united states of america. as vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, admiral christopher grady, accompanied by world war two veterans, mr. hayden and mr. george arnstein.

representing the national service, is superintend it of the national mall and memorial parks? mr. jeffrey reinbold said he's accompanied by world war two veteran, mr. ralph.

representing friends of the national world war two memorial is chair. mrs. jane droppa accompanied by world war two veteran, mr. robert waddell.

representing the united states army retired major general john hurtling, accompanied by world war two veteran mr. melvin.

representing united states marine corps is world war two veteran. mr. jack maroney and singer mary melvin.

representing the united states navy chaplain chad astbury, accompanied by world war two veteran mrs. rose dern. representing the united states air force, is world war veteran mr. lou griffith.

representing the united states space force is world war two veteran. mr. huey lamb.

representing the united coast guard is world war two veteran. mr. bennett. representing the united states

merchant marine is deputy maritime administrator lucinda leslie. please rise for the playing of taps.

good evening. thank you all for joining us. i am with smithsonian associates and thrilled to welcome you to today's program on visual thinking with dr. temple. to our members, a sincere thank you. now moha