HONOLULU (AP) — The annual remembrance ceremony of the 1941 Pearl Harbor bombing, known for featuring the stories of survivors, faces a poignant milestone. This year, none of the 12 surviving veterans, all centenarians, are able to attend the ceremony scheduled for Sunday.
The absence of survivors represents a deep loss, as participants will no longer hear firsthand accounts of the treacherous day that propelled the United States into World War II. Kimberlee Heinrichs expressed her sorrow, noting that her father, Ira “Ike” Schab, had to cancel his trip from Oregon after falling ill.
Traditionally, the ceremony begins at 7:55 a.m., marking the exact moment of the attack, followed by solemn rituals including fighter jets flying in a 'missing man' formation. Active-duty troops have taken over the role of honoring the dead in recent years, as the number of surviving veterans diminishes.
In previous years, the presence of survivors at the event was a norm, with approximately 2,000 attending the 50th anniversary in 1991. However, the trend has shifted dramatically, as only two were present last year.
As the remembrances evolve, historian Emily S. Rosenberg notes that the Pearl Harbor bombing holds different meanings for many, from highlighting military preparedness to scrutinizing governmental flaws. She emphasizes that with the last of the survivors passing, preserving their stories and memories is paramount.
Retired National Park Service historian Daniel Martinez has recorded nearly 800 interviews with survivors to ensure their legacies endure. Efforts are being made to document the history, including collections at the Library of Congress and presentations by groups like the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, who are determined to keep the memory alive even as the last witnesses fade into history.
