Press Releases

June 21, 2006

 Public Conference Kicks Off Pearl Harbor 65th Anniversary Commemorative Events in Hawaii, December 2 - 5, 2006.

 Pearl Harbor 65th Anniversary Conference "A Nation Remembers" brings together Nation’s top historians, authors and Pearl Harbor Survivors to detail the history and lessons learned surrounding the Pearl Harbor attack.

HONOLULU, HI -- On December 2-5, 2006, the Pearl Harbor 65th Anniversary Conference"A Nation Remembers" will unite survivors and scholars of the 1941 Pearl Harbor bombing. Held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa in Waikiki, this commemorative event, presented by the National Park Service and the Arizona Memorial Museum Association, will feature discussions and analyses by noted historians, authors, and American and Japanese veterans of the attack.

Open to the public, this unique retrospective offers a rare opportunity to hear from top scholars on the subject, as well as survivors. Featured at the conference will be a variety of in-depth discussion sessions on various topics. A detailed examination of the near destruction of the Pacific Fleet; the Admiral Kimmel and General Short controversy; American and Japanese aviator experiences; the USS Ward incident and the recent discovery of the Japanese midget sub it sank; current research on the USS Arizona, and radar use in Hawaii during the conflict are just a few examples.

Optional activities for conference attendees will include a narrated bus tour through the major attack sites on Oahu and a rare opportunity to meet Pearl Harbor Survivors and the Nation’s renowned historians and authors at an exclusive “Meet the Speakers” reception.

Conference attendees are encouraged to register and book travel arrangements early. For Conference information and registration, call 1-888-485-1941or visit www.arizonamemorial.org.

Conference cost is $25 and includes an opening reception and the seminar sessions. Registered Pearl Harbor Survivors and one guest are welcome to attend the seminar sessions at no charge. The optional Attack Site Bus Tour and Luncheon is $67.50 and the Meet the Speakers Reception is $25.

"The attack on Pearl Harbor was a pivotal event in America’s history," said Doug Lentz, National Park Service Superintendent, USS Arizona Memorial. “During the war years, ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ became the battle cry of our nation and united our country against the enemies of the United States. Today, ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ has taken on a different meaning as the foundation of this years 65th Pearl Harbor commemorative theme, ‘A Nation Remembers.’ Once again, as a nation we are united, however this time, united to reflect on lessons learned and to stand in awe of our WWII veterans - the Greatest Generation.”

The conference will serve as a kick off to a myriad of special events planned to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Additional events include:

• Pearl Harbor Survivors National Reunion, December 2 - 8: Pearl Harbor Survivors and their families from around the country will gather for what is expected to be a final reunion in Honolulu. A special reunion will also be held for the survivors of the USS Arizona.

• Pearl Harbor 65th Anniversary Gala Reception, December 5, at Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa: An elegant black-tie dinner dance with Pearl Harbor Survivors featuring live band music and entertainment from the 1940’s. Tickets are $250 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund campaign to rebuild the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center and Museum.

• 65th Pearl Harbor Commemorative Public Ceremony, December, Pearl Harbor: Hosted by the National Park Service and the US Navy, the remembrance service will include a Hawaiian Blessing, military music selections, Morning Colors, wreath presentations, rifle salute, a Moment of Silence with a US Naval Ship Passing in Review, a Missing Man Flyover, TAPS and a special tribute to the Pearl Harbor Survivors. This year’s ceremony will be held at Pearl Harbor, with the exact location to be confirmed. For information on the location, call 808-422-2771, extension 110 after October 1.