MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Base residents and distinguished guests gathered around the Kaneohe Klipper Monument and the base flag pole aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Dec. 6, to pay homage to the 18 Sailors and one civilian contractor who were killed during the Japanese attack on Naval Air Station Kaneohe, Dec. 7, 1941.
The Marine Forces Pacific Band, accompanied by bagpipes from 1st Lt. Justin B. Stodghill of Marine Aircraft Group 24, set the tone of remembrance for the ceremony with tunes like "Amazing Grace" and "High-land Cathedral."
Several key figures, including Rear Adm. Anthony L. Winns, commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Brig. Gen. Jerry C. McAbee, commanding general of MCB Hawaii; the Chosin Few Aloha Chapter and Kaneohe Klippers Association attended the event.
Rear Adm. Winns offered words of encouragement toward the future while remembering the infamous date in 1941. At the end of his speech, he quoted John F. Kennedy.
"At the end of one's life, there is nothing finer a person can say than that they served in the U.S. Navy," Winns quoted.
Following the flag raising, the Kaneohe Klippers were again honored with a 21-gun salute.