Pearl Harbor: US executives remember fallen Americans on 80th anniversary

Congressional and executive leaders of the United States paid their respects to those who died in the Pearl Harbor attacks in Hawaii to mark the 80th remembrance day. President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were among many who marked the day.

Joe Biden, along with First Lady and wife Jill Biden, visited the World War II memorial in Washington DC on early Tuesday morning to remember those who lost their lives in the attack. Jill Biden also remembered her father Donald Jacobs, who served in the United States Navy, by laying a bouquet at the memorial.

In a tweet, Joe Biden wrote, “As we mark National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the patriots who perished, commemorate the valor of all those who defended our nation, and recommit ourselves to carrying forth the ensuing peace and reconciliation that brought a better future for our world.”

Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama wrote, “Eighty years ago today, over 2,400 Americans lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Today we remember them, and all those who fought to protect our freedom” while sharing a picture of him laying down a bouquet at a memorial.

Defense Secretary Lloyd wrote, ” Today we recognize the 80th anniv. of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and we remember the valor exhibited by so many Americans that day. Now, together with our allies & partners, we remain committed to defending the #FreeandOpenIndoPacific these heroes built.”

The deadly attack, which was carried out on December 7, 1941 b the Japanese forces as the United States fought the war in Europe, putting the threat on its eastern regions on the backburner. The attack claimed nearly 2,390 American lives. The United States declared war on Japan the next day.