WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Friends of the National World War II Memorial (Friends) and the National Park Service (NPS) will remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 during a special event at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 1:53 p.m. In 1994, the United States Congress designated December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

“December 7, 1941 is an important day for all Americans to pause, remember, and reflect,” said Friends Chairman Retired Army Lieutenant General Claude “Mick” Kicklighter. “On that day, more than 2,400 Americans were killed, more than 1,100 were wounded, and the United States was thrown into a war that would change America and the world for ever.”

Vice Admiral Michael H. Miller, the 61^st Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy will give the keynote address and present a wreath at the Freedom Wall along with Pearl Harbor Survivors and other veterans from World War II. A native of Minot, North Dakota, Vice Admiral was commissioned at the Naval Academy in 1974 and earned his “Wings of Gold” at Pensacola in 1976. Subsequent flying tours were primarily out of Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Fla., flying the S-3A/B Viking on carrier deployments around the world, including combat operations against Libya, the Achille Lauro terrorist incident and squadron command in the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Robert Vogel, Superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, and Lieutenant General Kicklighter will also speak during the event. Friends board member Robert Peck, of Gensler, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

The ceremony will begin with the tolling of a U.S. Navy bell marking the first moments of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the playing of Taps, and the posting of colors by the Military District of Washington’s Armed Forces Color Guard and will conclude with wreath layings at the Freedom Wall. The United States Marine Band will play throughout the ceremony.

About The Friends of the National World War II Memorial, Inc. (www.wwiimemorialfriends.org): Founded in 2007, the Friends of the National World War II Memorial is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ensuring that the legacy, lessons, and sacrifices of World War II are not forgotten and enhancing the educational experience for visitors to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. The nonprofit organization was established by former American Battle Monuments Commission members, who were responsible for implementing a Congressional mandate to recommend a site and a design and to fund and build the National World War II Memorial. They were concerned with making the Memorial all that it was intended to be by its planners: an open, welcoming, gathering place on the National Mall; a place of reverent remembrance; and a place to honor and celebrate the spirit of America during World War II. With growing private support, the cooperation of the National Park Service, the Military District of Washington, and others, these hopes are being realized.

For more information, please contact Friends of the National World War II Memorial’s Executive Director Holly Rotondi at 202.675.2017 or [email protected].