American flags across the United States will fly at half-staff on Sunday in honor of those killed in the bombing of Pearl Harbor 84 years ago. The flags of five states will also be lowered today and over the weekend.
In total, 2,403 Americans died when the Empire of Japan launched an air raid on the U.S. Navy base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The United States declared war against Japan the following day.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, marked annually on the anniversary of the attack, honors the memory of military personnel and civilians who died.
A congressional resolution passed in 1994 requires that from sunrise to sundown on December 7, flags be flown at half-staff to honor those lost in the attack and to remember an infamous event in U.S. history.
President Donald Trump ordered all national flags to be lowered to half-staff through Thursday, December 4, following the fatal shooting of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a West Virginia National Guard member killed near the White House on November 26.
Beckstrom, 20, died after being ambushed along with Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who remains hospitalized. The order affected all federal, state, and military properties, including overseas facilities.
State flags will also be half-staff in California, Michigan, Maryland, West Virginia, and Connecticut.
State Tributes
- California: Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags at the State Capitol to be flown at half-staff after a shooting at a children’s party in Stockton. Two eight-year-olds, Rose Reotutar Guerrero and Maya Lupian, 14-year-old Amari Peterson and 21-year-old Susano Archuleto were killed. More than a dozen people were injured.
- Michigan: Flags were lowered across the State Capitol Complex on December 5 to honor former State Representative Fred Durhal Jr., coinciding with his funeral. Governor Gretchen Whitmer called Durhal “a committed public servant who fought hard for the city of Detroit.”
- Maryland: St. Mary’s County lowered both the Maryland State and county flags in honor of Shelby P. Guazzo, whose funeral took place on December 5, to pay tribute to her service to the local community.
- West Virginia: Governor Patrick Morrisey ordered flags lowered to honor Staff Sergeant Wolfe and Specialist Beckstrom, urging a statewide moment of silence and prayer on December 5 at 2:15 p.m., recognizing their service and sacrifice after they were ambushed by a shooter in Washington, D.C.
- Connecticut: Governor Ned Lamont ordered the state flag to be flown at half-staff in memory of Representative Kevin Ryan, who passed away on November 23. Flags will remain lowered until Ryan’s interment.
What People Are Saying
In his proclamation last year, President Donald Trump said: “On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed on that tragic December morning 83 years ago. And we recognize the absolute courage of the service members who, in the wake of this painful and unprovoked attack, stood up to defend democracy and stand up to fascism abroad in World War II.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom, announcing the tribute to those killed in Stockton, said: “No child should ever have their life taken from them,” and “we mourn and stand with the community as it grieves.”
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said in a proclamation: “These two West Virginia heroes were serving our country and protecting our nation’s capital when they were maliciously attacked. Their courage and commitment to duty represent the very best of our state.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement: “Representative Fred Durhal Jr. was a committed public servant who fought hard for the city of Detroit. Whether it was serving his constituents in the Michigan House of Representatives or making change as the Director of the Michigan Democratic Party, Fred always worked hard to make Michiganders’ lives better.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said in a statement: “Kevin Ryan was among the most dedicated and enthusiastic legislators, who was devoted to his district and serving the people of Ledyard, Montville, and Norwich. He loved public service and was always ready and willing to listen to the views of the people he represented and take action to support their interests.”
