Pearl Harbor attack remembered on 73rd anniversary

SAN PEDRO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- December 7 is somberly known as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Sunday marks the 73rd anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the nation's abrupt entry into World War II.

"Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy," said President Franklin Roosevelt. He spoke those immortal words following the surprise attacks by Japanese bombers on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii.

Nearly 2,500 people were killed and another 1,000 wounded. More than half of the U.S. Pacific Fleet was destroyed.

A moment of silence is planned Sunday morning onboard the Battleship USS IOWA as part of the Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony. At exactly 9:48 a.m., the moment will mark the time the attack started on the U.S. battle fleet 73 years ago.

The ceremony in San Pedro will honor the 2,403 American lives lost that day. It will include speeches recognizing veterans, and a bugler will sound taps.

The San Pedro harbor was the home port for many of the ships attacked on Dec. 7, 1941, including the battleships California, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Meantime, a second remembrance service will be held in Norco at the George Ingalls Equestrian Center's Veterans' Memorial Plaza, off of Crestview Drive. Survivors are slated to speak, recalling their experiences.

CNS contributed to this report.