Public Invited to Pearl Harbor Event in St Paul
St Paul (KROC AM News) - A special event is scheduled in St. Paul Wednesday to mark the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.
The ceremony will be held at the Minnesota History Center, beginning at 10 a.m.
Pearl Harbor survivor Richard Thill of St. Paul will be an honorary guest for the event, which is open to the public.
Free parking will be available in the History Center lot, and there is no cost to attend the ceremony for active military and veterans.
10 am: Remembrance Program
Posting of the Colors
National Anthem - Lt. Col Tim Swanson
Pledge of Allegiance - Mike Pluta, commander of the Fort Snelling Memorial Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad
Invocation - Dan Kircoffner, assistant chaplain of the Fort Snelling Memorial Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad
Welcome - Mike Pluta, Master of Ceremonies and commander of the Fort Snelling Memorial Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad
Keynote Address - Ret. Brigadier General Joseph Kelly
Remarks by Governor Mark Dayton
Gubernatorial Proclamation
Music - 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band
Benediction - Dan Kircoffner, assistant chaplain of the Fort Snelling Memorial Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad
Fort Snelling National Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad
Moment of Silence
Rifle Salute - Fort Snelling National Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad
Taps
Retiring of the Colors
1 pm: Naval Ceremony
3:30 pm: Remarks by Marc Wortman, author of "1941: Fighting the Shadow War"
Followed by a video of underwater exploration of waters outside of Pearl Harbor by Dr. James P. Delgado, director of maritime heritage at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Minnesota Historical Society will also host additional events related to Pearl Harbor throughout the day.
The event is sponsored by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Fort Snelling National Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad and Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs and is open to the public.
The program will also be live-streamed. Veteran posts and citizens from across the state are expected to watch live.
World War II veterans will speak, and Dave Kenney, author of "Minnesota Goes to War," will give historical anecdotes about how news of the Pearl Harbor attack was received at home and Minnesota's response in December 1941. There will also be a brief remembrance of Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., a World War II veteran, who passed away in August 2016.
Confirmed Speakers and Program Participants:
Richard Thill, Pearl Harbor Survivor
Remarks and Proclamation, Governor Dayton
Remarks by Brigadier General (Ret.) Joseph Kelly
Ft. Snelling Nat’l Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad
National Anthem, Chief Albright
34th Red Bull Band—Brass Quartet
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