National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2020

Proclamation 10125 of December 4, 2020

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2020

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Imperial Japanese
forces ambushed the Naval Station Pearl Harbor on the
Hawaiian island of Oahu. Tragically, 2,403 Americans
perished during the attack, including 68 civilians. On
this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we solemnly
honor and uphold the memory of the patriots who lost
their lives that day--``a date which will live in
infamy''--and we reflect on the courage of all those
who served our Nation with honor in the Second World
War.

Seventy nine years ago, Imperial Japan launched an
unprovoked and devastating attack on our Nation. As
torpedo bombers unleashed their deadly cargo on our
ships and attack aircraft rained bombs from above,
brave members of the United States Navy, Marines, Army,
and Army Air Forces mounted a heroic defense, manning
their battle stations and returning fire through the
smoke and chaos. The profound bravery in the American
resistance surprised Japanese aircrews and inspired
selfless sacrifice among our service members. In one
instance, Machinist's Mate First Class Robert R. Scott,
among 15 Sailors awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of
valor on that day, refused to leave his flooding battle
station within the depths of the USS CALIFORNIA,
declaring to the world: ``This is my station and I will
stay and give them air as long as the guns are going.''

Forever enshrined in our history, the attack on Pearl
Harbor shocked all Americans and galvanized our Nation
to fight and defeat the Axis powers of Japan, Germany,
and Italy. As Americans, we promise never to forget our
fallen compatriots who fought so valiantly during World
War II. As a testament to their memory, more than a
million people visit the site of the USS ARIZONA
Memorial each year to pay their respects to the Sailors
entombed within its wreckage and to all who perished
that day. Despite facing tremendous adversity, the
Pacific Fleet, whose homeport remains at Pearl Harbor
to this day, is stronger than ever before, upholding
the legacy of all those who gave their lives nearly 80
years ago.

On this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we
recall the phrase ``Remember Pearl Harbor,'' which
stirred the fighting spirit within the hearts of the
more than 16 million Americans who courageously served
in World War II. Over 400,000 gave their lives in the
global conflict that began, for our Nation, on that
fateful Sunday morning. Today, we memorialize all those
lost on December 7, 1941, declare once again that our
Nation will never forget these valiant heroes, and
resolve as firmly as ever that their memory and spirit
will survive for as long as our Nation endures.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has
designated December 7 of each year as ``National Pearl
Harbor Remembrance Day.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim December
7, 2020, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I
encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of
remembrance and to honor our military, past and
present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I
urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations,
groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United
States at half-

staff in honor of those American patriots who died as a
result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.