More than 3000 people, including nearly 400 survivors congregated at Kilo Pier on the Harbor this morning to pay tribute to the brave men and women who fought for America’s freedom on December 7th, 1941. The 65th Pearl Harbor Anniversary Ceremony was a joint effort of the United States Navy and the National Park Service.

The ceremony was officiated by Master of Ceremonies Captain Taylor Skardon, commanding officer, Naval Station Pearl Harbor and featured a line up of noted guest speakers, including, Dr. Ronald D. Sugar, national chairman of The Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund, Admiral Gary Roughead, Commander, U.S, Pacific Fleet, The Honorable Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior, and the Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor of the State of Hawaii.

Noted newsman and keynote speaker Tom Brokaw gave a moving speech that paid homage to the greatest generation and reminded all in attendance to always support our Americans in uniform. "You may hate the war", Brokaw said, "But you must honor the warriers."

Brokaw's speech was followed by a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the ships and survivors of Pearl Harbor. A survivor from each ship was present to lay the wreath in remembrance of fallen soldiers. The ceremony concluded with a six-man Marine rifle salute and the playing of Echo Taps.