WHEREAS, December 7, 2023, marks the 82nd anniversary of the attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, this military assault claimed the lives of over 2,400 American soldiers and citizens and wounded over a thousand more, and the resulting destruction was immense – in addition to the loss of infrastructure on the base, 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and over 300 airplanes were sunk or destroyed; and
WHEREAS, the bombing of Pearl Harbor compelled the United States to enter World War II, where the men and women of our Armed Forces fought courageously to defeat tyranny, secure our nation, and protect the freedoms of all people; and
WHEREAS, this day serves as a stark reminder of the exceptional service and selfless sacrifice of our armed servicemen and women who risk their lives and personal safety to shield our nation from harm and uphold our country’s founding values and liberties; and
WHEREAS, today, we reflect upon the loss of human life and the destruction of the Pearl Harbor Base and pause in commemoration of those who fought and died on December 7, 1941, and we honor their bravery and final sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, our military service members place themselves in danger to defend the freedoms and values we hold precious, and we cannot measure the debt of gratitude we owe to them.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2023 as:
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
in Alaska, call on all Alaskans to remember the exceptional service of our nation’s Veterans, and order the Alaska State Flag to be flown at half-staff in honor of the American lives lost at Pearl Harbor.
Dated: December 7, 2023
