News Photo by Steve Schulwitz An Honor Guard gives a rifle salute to the men and women who were killed at Pearl Harbor during a special ceremony in Alpena on Saturday. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 killed more than 2,000 Americans.

ALPENA — Members of local veterans groups gathered on the shore of the Thunder Bay River on Saturday for a special ceremony to honor the men and women who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

The attack killed 2,403 Americans and an additional 1,178 others were injured.

The surprise attack on the Navy base in Hawaii forced America to declare war against Japan the following day, which thrust it into World War II.

Saturday’s event in Alpena kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Soon after, the names of the men from Michigan who were killed during the attack were read off one by one and after each name, a bell was rung in honor of their sacrifice.

There were few from the general public who attended the ceremony, which was open to the public.

A wreath was also thrown from the bridge into the river, which was only partially covered with ice, and it began to move downstream toward Lake Huron with the current.

During the ceremony, there was a steady snowfall, but it didn’t dampen the resolve of the veterans and veteran groups who organized the event and were eager to offer their respect and appreciation and to salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The event ended with an Honor Guard rifle salute and the playing of “Taps” in a bugle.

The attack from the air by Japan came in two waves and led to the sinking of the four battleships, several of which were later raised and recommissioned, with the USS Arizona still lying where it sank to this day. Four other battleships were heavily damaged.

The gunfire and torpedoes also destroyed or damaged three destroyer ships, three cruisers, and other vessels.

There were also 188 U.S. aircrafts destroyed, as well as some nearby airstrips.

Japan suffered light losses, as only 29 planes, five midget submarines, and 65 servicemen were killed.

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation on the day of the attack, he famously called the event and the impact it had on the nation a day that will live in infamy.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.