Attack On Pearl Harbor 75 Years Ago Commemorated By Bush Library Foundation

Emotions soared Wednesday (Dec.7) among the thousands from all walks of life assembled at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum to commemorate – to quote the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt, “the day which will live in infamy” – the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that began America’s entry into World War II.

Foremost in public recognition of the WWII veterans on hand for the ceremonies at the presidential library complex on the Texas A&M University campus were the nation’s 41st president and the library’s namesake, George H. W. Bush, and former Sen. Robert J. Dole. A highlight of the day’s ceremonies was presentation of the George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service to Sen. Dole.

They were joined by 25 other WWII veterans, including Aaron Cook, a survivor of the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor.

The beginning of the program was timed to coincide with the precise moment of the start of the attack on the ships and other military targets in and around Pearl Harbor.

Members of the Texas Flying Legends made several passages over the ceremonies in WWII-era aircraft, with the final fly-over being in the “missing man formation” in which one of the planes veered off in an upward manner to honor the memory of the missing. The group’s Ken Crites gave a moving account of the attack and following U.S. actions before and during the fly-overs.

Taps was sounded by a member of Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets precisely at noon to conclude the outdoor portion of the program.

A following panel discussion was moderated by FOX news commentator Brit Hume. The panelists were Jon Meacham, author of the book Destiny and Power; James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys and Rear Adm. Chip Miller, director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98).

The commemorative program was presented by the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation in partnership with American Momentum Bank, the Lenore and Francis Humphrys International Speakers Program, the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, the Bush School of Government and Public Service and the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.