Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony held

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, IDVA, hosted a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at the Springfield Elks Lodge on Friday, Dec. 7.

The ceremony honored all Pearl Harbor survivors and paid tribute to the more than 2,400 Americans who lost their lives. 

IDVA director Stephen Curda said the ceremony was an opportunity to come together to honor the brave men and women who gave their all during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

“We pray that the families who lost members at Pearl Harbor find comfort in knowing that their loved ones are heroes. They will be remembered forever,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said. 

Rauner proclaimed Dec. 7, 2018, as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Illinois. 

Flags were flown at half-staff on Dec. 7 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.  

All flags governed by the Illinois Flags Display Act also were lowered to half-staff in honor of the late President George H.W. Bush.

The ceremony included a wreath laying in the waters of Lake Springfield while “Taps” was being played.