Washington, D.C. – “In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, our nation experienced one of our darkest days in American history as the Imperial Japanese navy launched a surprise attack against the United States' naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  This unwarranted and calamitous attack led to the deaths of over 2,400 Americans.

“The countless acts of heroism and repeated resilience exhibited by our Armed Services personnel in the face of such insurmountable odds on this daunting day will always serve as an excellent example of the courageous character and strong will to succeed that is inherent and ingrained in the brave men and women who serve in our nation’s military.  And while this destructive attack was meant to demoralize the spirit of the American people, it actually served as a catalyst that inspired one of our nation’s greatest generations to emerge and successfully defeat the impinging forces of tyranny.

“As our nation inevitably continues to confront our present and future challenges, it is important that we seek inspiration from the perseverance displayed by those brave Americans who perished in the Pearl Harbor attacks.  From their example, we can all better understand how to honorably serve our country while also working to create a more vibrant America.”

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