MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII KANEOHE BAY, Hi -- Former Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Sailors and their families gathered at the MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Klipper Monument to pay tribute to the 18 Sailors that died when the Japanese attacked the base.
The members of the Kaneohe Klipper Association also paid tribute to members that have passed away in the last year.
"It is rewarding to be with the Kaneohe Klippers," said Jim Evans, president of the Kaneohe Klipper Association. "I was 16 when I was here and I will carry on as long as possible."
Many of the members are more than 70 years old.
These men traveled from all across the nation to visit the base where their fellow shipmates lost their lives.
It was after 7:50 a.m. on a quiet, peaceful Sunday morning on NAS, Kaneohe Bay.
The silence was all destroyed by the sound of bombs and machineguns ripping through the base.
The Japanese destroyed nearly every plane on the base, shot up all the hangers and bombed the airfield.
The returning Kaneohe Klippers relived the day that the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Hawaii.
They remembered that although there was destruction all around, the Sailors did not run away. They ran for the armory and took guns of the planes. They mounted these guns on pipes and began to return fire.
Men like John Finn, the chief for aviation ordnance and later a Medal of Honor recipient, took it upon themselves to try and take out the Japanese. In the process, Finn was injured.
"This was the first great act of heroism for America in World War II," said Brig. Gen. Jerry C. McAbee, MCB Hawaii commanding general. "It was bravery above and beyond the call of duty."
When Evans and McAbee finished their comments, it was time to honor those who died.
Both men laid a wreath at the monument and stood there as Headquarters Bn. Marines fired a seven-gun salute. Taps was played and 1st Lt. Justin B. Stodghill, a Marine bagpiper, ended the ceremony with a solemn rendition of "Amazing Grace" on his pipes.
With the ceremony over, many guests could not help but approach some of the veterans and ask them about their experiences.
A group of people formed around Finn. They sought a few words with the man or just an autograph.
Even the Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Rear Adm. Anthony Winns, humbly asked Finn for an autograph.
Although all the ceremonies are over, the memory of what happened will never be forgotten and the thought of those who gave their lives Dec. 7, 1941, will remain forever engraved in the hearts of those who live on.