Press Release - Saturday, December 06, 2008
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Governor Blagojevich Proclaims Day of Remembrance for Those Who Died in Attack on Pearl Harbor; Orders United States and Illinois Flags to Fly at Half-Staff
CHICAGO - In honor of the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and in memory of all those who died as a result of their service there, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich proclaimed December 7th, 2008 as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Illinois and ordered that all United States and Illinois flags be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset tomorrow.
The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) will host a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony tomorrow at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Club in Springfield at 2 p.m. The ceremony will honor all Pearl Harbor survivors and pay tribute to the more than 2,400 Americans who lost their lives. IDVA Director L. Tammy Duckworth will lead the tribute and the ceremony will include a special wreath laying ceremony by Pearl Harbor survivors.
"The attack on Pearl Harbor is day that will never be forgotten. December 7th is a day for this country to come together to honor the brave service men and women who died in the unexpected attack. It is also a day to give thanks to the millions of Americans who responded to their Nation's calling and successfully fought for our freedom in World War II," said Governor Blagojevich. "In memory of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor and to illustrate that their sacrifice will never be forgotten, I order that all United States and Illinois flags be flown at half-staff tomorrow and encourage all Illinoisans to join in the observance."
"The unexpected and tragic event that occurred on December 7th, 1941, triggered America to go to war. As a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor, many of our heroic service men and women lost their lives - but they did not die in vain," said IDVA Director Tammy Duckworth. "We pay tribute to all those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, by honoring them on the 67th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day."
The text of the Governor's proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, December 7, 1941 is one of the most memorable dates of the 20th century. On that day, Japanese bombers attacked unsuspecting American sailors and soldiers stationed at Pearl Harbor; and
WHEREAS, more than 2,000 Americans were killed, including 50 servicemen from Illinois, and another 1,000 were wounded during the bombardment, which outraged Americans like few other events in our nation's history; and
WHEREAS, President Franklin Roosevelt and Congress promptly declared war against Japan and her allies, and our sailors and soldiers performed superbly on all fronts. Together, a Grand Coalition of French, English, Russian, and American servicemen conducted mass campaigns and operations in the Pacific, African, and European theaters; and
WHEREAS, on May 7, 1945 Germany surrendered, which was soon followed by Japan's surrender on August 14 of that same year; and
WHEREAS, during the war, more American sailors and soldiers were mobilized than at any other time in our history. By war's end, more than 8 million Americans were serving in just the Army; and
WHEREAS, thanks to the Grand Coalition, our servicemen, and all those at home who contributed to the war effort, the world was made safer for liberty and freedom, the right of all peoples everywhere, which the aggressions of Germany and Japan endangered; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 63rd anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Although we can never repay all those who faithfully and honorably served during the war, we will always remember what they did and fought for:
THEREFORE, I, Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2008 as PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY in Illinois and order all State facilities to fly their flags at half-staff on such day from sunrise until sunset in memory of all the heroes who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and in tribute to all the men and women whose sacrifices made the world safer for liberty and freedom.
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