Last night, hundreds of the best dressed in Hawaii met at the Coral Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village to remember 1941, honor survivors and dance the night away in support of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund.

The gala was a fundraiser to help the Fund get closer to its goal of $50 million dollars to construct and maintain a new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum and Visitors center, replacing the current center, which is in grave disrepair.

The night featured a silent auction with items ranging from Tiffany gift bags to a 10-day trip to China and even a brand new Mazda SUV (Zoom, Zoom!).

Guests at the gala were treated to a variety of entertainment, including the National Anthem sung by Jim Nabors—better known as Private Gomer Pyle—the reunion of the 1941 Jitterbug Champions Pat Thompson and Jack Evans who kicked off a night of revelry by reprising their winning dance, and the song stylings of Jimmy Borges and The Matt Catingub Big Band.

There was of course a serious side to the evening. MC Admiral Thomas Fargo set up the evening by Parading the Colors and later in the evening recognized the many Medal of Honor recipients in attendance. Lieutenant General Hank Stackpole, USMC (Ret) explained the symbolism of the Fallen Warrior Table, followed by Echo Taps and Mr. Jay Groff, Pearl Harbor Survivor gave personal testimony and read a poem, written by an Army soldier just after the attacks.

All in all, the evening was a rousing success raising much needed and much appreciated funds for The Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund’s campaign.

To make your own donation, visit www.pearlharbormemorial.com/survivors.