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Cannon honors 77th anniversary of Pearl Harbor

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Gage Daniel
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N. M. - Base Honor Guardsmen raised the American flag at 10:48 a.m. local time, at the wing building on base Dec. 7, 2018. This event happened exactly 77 years from the minute when Imperial Japanese aircraft descended upon the naval base at Pearl Harbor and began a surprise attack. The ceremony was in remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

On Dec. 7, 1941, at 7:43 a.m., the first of two waves of hundreds of Japanese planes crashed into the base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They managed to destroy and damage nearly 20 American Navy ships, including eight battleships and more than 300 airplanes.

“Remember the heroes of Dec. 7 1941, many of whom never lived beyond that day of infamy,” said Chaplain Captain James Finley. “Help us remember those who were killed so suddenly they never had the chance to prove themselves.”

Over 2,400 Americans died because of the attack, including civilians, and another 1,000 people were wounded. This would be the deciding factor to get the United States into World War II.

“Since modern warfare began, which I classify as World War I to present, only two attacks have been on American soil, the other being 9/11” said Col. Stewart A. Hammons, 27th Special Operations Wing commander. “Pray for our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines down-range making sure we don’t have to ever play a home game again.”

The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt formally requested Congress to declare war on Japan. World War II would last until Sep. 2, 1945 with a peace treaty being signed with the U.S. and Japan.

“We are gathered here in reverence to be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice they paid in debt to our country and the freedoms we continue to enjoy today,” said Lt. Alex Barden, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron flight commander. “May we never forget.”

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