November 27, 2024 – The Georgia WWII Heritage Trail, comprising eleven museums and historic sites dedicated to preserving the legacy and stories of the Greatest Generation in Georgia, is commemorating Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The military surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States resulted in death of 2,403 service members and civilians, launching the U.S.’s formal entry into World War II.
Beginning Saturday December 1, 2024, the Trail’s will host activities designed to educate the public about the attack. Highlights include:
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force (Pooler, GA) – On Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, the museum will host a ceremony featuring a keynote speaker, readings, music, and a tribute to Pearl Harbor survivors and WWII veterans. The event includes a Two-Bell Ceremony and a flower wreath presentation. It is free and open to the public.
World War II Flight Training Museum (Douglas, GA)- The WWII Flight Training Museum in collaboration with the Douglas Coffee County Veterans Park Committee will host the Annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on Friday, December 6th at 10:00pm. The program includes a welcome by the Mayor of Douglas, presentation of the Colors by Coffee High JNROTC cadets, the pledge of allegiance and singing of our National Anthem by students from Citizens Christian Academy students, local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars essay winners, and flyover by a PT-17 Stearman. WWII reenactors plan to be present with education displays. The Museum will also be open for tours.
Additional Sites – The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia, Currahee Military Museum, Museum of Aviation and Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, National Prisoner of War Museum, St. Marys Submarine Museum, and World War II Home Front Museum, will join the effort by offering experiences that showcase the unique contributions of Georgia to the Second World War. Exhibits include wartime training, the lives of service members, and civilian home front efforts.
The United States Congress designated December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on August 23, 1994. The American flag will fly at half-staff from sunrise until sunset to honor the 2,403 Americans who died in the attack.
“Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day holds deep meaning for communities across Georgia and the United States,” said Ed Coleman, Georgia WWII Heritage Trail Chair. “December 7th is a solemn reminder of those who perished and the resilience, service and sacrifice of the men and women who helped America and her Allies win World War II.”
For more information about Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day events, visit the official website of each participating museum.