RICHMOND — The Virginia War Memorial and the Navy League of the United States, Richmond Council, will co-host the 83rd Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6.
The annual ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and will be held outdoors in the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory — 20th Century at 621 South Belvidere St. in Richmond. The ceremony is being held on Dec. 6 this year to avoid street closures downtown Richmond for the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade slated for Saturday, Dec 7.
The 83rd Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony will include a keynote address by Rear Adm. Michael T. Curran, who retired after more than 30 years of service to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserves.
Wreaths will be presented in memory of the Virginians who died on Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941, when the forces of Imperial Japan attacked U.S military bases in Hawaii. More than 2,400 Americans died and more than 1,100 were wounded during the surprise attack. Of those killed, 41 were listed as native Virginians.
“The name of each Virginian who perished on that fateful day will be read and remembered with the tolling of the ship’s bell from the guided missile cruiser USS Virginia (CGN-38), which was decommissioned in 1994,” said Vaughn F. Dize, president of the Navy League’s Richmond Council, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the annual program.
The bell is on permanent display at the Virginia War Memorial.
“We are again pleased to continue the tradition of co-hosting the Navy League Richmond Council’s Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony here at the Virginia War Memorial,” said Virginia War Memorial Director Clay Mountcastle. “We look forward to having our fellow citizens and especially veterans join us in honoring and remembering the thousands of Americans including many Virginians who died during the surprise attack in 1941 that led to the United States entering World War II.”
As this ceremony is an outdoor event, the hosts encourage attendees to dress accordingly. There is no admission charge to attend and free parking is available in the Memorial’s surface lot and underground deck. Attendees should plan to arrive by 10:45 a.m. prior to the event.
The Virginia War Memorial will be open to the public from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on December 6. The “Virginians at War” documentary film “Pearl Harbor” will be shown all day in the Reynolds Theater and visitors can also visit the Medal of Honor Gallery, Veterans Art Gallery and other exhibits.
Those seeking more information about the ceremony should call the Virginia War Memorial at 804-786-2060 or visit vawarmemorial.org or dvs.virginia.gov.
