On December 7, 2016, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu joined thousands of people including Pearl Harbor survivors and their families and dignitaries in remembering the attack on Pearl Harbor seventy-five years ago. The ceremonies were held at Kilo Pier, Pearl Harbor at the exact time that bombs struck Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Overlooking the venue of the ceremonies was the USS Arizona Memorial, the resting place of 1,102 sailors and marines who perished when USS Arizona sank during the Japanese surprise attack. Four F-22 Raptors from the Hawaii Air National Guard flew overhead in formation while a US supercarrier, USS John C. Stennis, could be seen nearby. The US destroyer, USS Halsey passed by the sunken USS Arizona and Utah during a moment of silence to render honors to those who died in the ships. A veteran and USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton saluted after the USS Halsey sailed by his former ship.
Admiral Harry Harris Jr., Commander of the US Pacific Command, was the keynote speaker and paid homage to the bravery of the sailors, airmen, marines, soldiers and civilians in defending Pearl Harbor amidst death and destruction on December 7, 1941. Admiral Harris said,” Just prior to the attacks 75 years ago, - on a morning not unlike this one – people not unlike us were waking up to enjoy another day in paradise… No one knew it would be the last moment of peace for almost four years”.
The ceremony included a wreathlaying, rifle salute and playing of taps. Governor and Mrs. David Ige, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Undersecretary of the US Navy, Dr. Janine Anne Davidson, Hawaii State legislators and members of Hawaii’s consular corps attended the ceremonies. Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin attended the ceremonies and was accompanied by Vice Consul Andrea Christina Q. Caymo and Mrs. Elisea Jamoralin, Consul General Jamoralin’s mother. (END).
