MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- With the recent terrorist attacks around the world still fresh in our minds, Dec. 7 we honor the survivors of a different surprise attack on our country. December 7 is a day to honor those who were here for those first horrifying hours of the War in the Pacific.Today, we welcome dozens of members of Patrol Squadron (VP)-11 and the Kaneohe Klippers Associations to MCB Hawaii - who come to mark the 61st Anniversary of Dec. 7, 1941. They have come from all over the nation, braving the challenges of post 9-11 air travel and the perils of the frailties of age and health to be here today to honor their fallen shipmates.It's been 61 years since America was catapulted into World War II. On Dec. 7, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. military bases of Hawaii. Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941, was the day that military personnel and their families woke to the sound of machine guns and bombs.There was more to the attack than Pearl Harbor. Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, was hit hard and lost 18 Sailors and one civilian in the two waves of the attack on Mokapu Peninsula. Nearly every plane on the base was destroyed. Many men stood up to the attackers and became heroes.Some of these heroes are here now. We may not have many more chances to personally thank them for their service in protecting America, to hear first-hand combat stories about places like Pearl Harbor, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Midway and Okinawa.We sincerely hope that you and your family will have the opportunity to meet and get to know World War II veterans who are here for the remembrance ceremonies.The ceremonies are Hawaii's chance to say "Thank You."