Honoring Sacrifice: Richmond to Host 83rd Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony

The 83rd Annual Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Virginia War Memorial’s Shrine of Memory—20th Century. The event, co-hosted by the Navy League of the United States Richmond Council and the Virginia War Memorial, invites the public to reflect on the lives lost during the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Admission and parking are free.

This year’s ceremony will be held on December 6, a day earlier than the traditional anniversary, to avoid traffic disruptions caused by the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade, which is scheduled for December 7 in downtown Richmond.

The remembrance will feature a keynote address by Rear Admiral Michael T. Curran (Ret.), who served over three decades in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves. A solemn highlight of the ceremony will be the reading of the names of the 41 Virginians killed in the attack, accompanied by the tolling of the ship’s bell from the USS Virginia (CGN-38), now permanently housed at the Memorial.

“This ceremony is an enduring tradition to honor the sacrifices of those lost on December 7, 1941,” said Vaughn F. Dize, president of the Navy League Richmond Council and Master of Ceremonies. “We gather to ensure their legacy remains alive for future generations.”

More than 2,400 Americans perished, and over 1,100 were wounded during the surprise attack by Japan’s Imperial forces, propelling the United States into World War II.

Dr. Clay Mountcastle, Director of the Virginia War Memorial, encouraged public attendance, stating, “We welcome veterans, families, and all citizens to join us in this sacred act of remembrance and patriotism.”

Additional Opportunities to Honor and Reflect

Attendees are advised to dress for the outdoor ceremony and to arrive by 10:45 a.m. The Memorial will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 6, offering additional ways to commemorate the day. Visitors can watch the Virginians at War documentary Pearl Harbor in the Reynolds Theater, explore the Medal of Honor Gallery, and view other exhibits dedicated to the state’s military history.

The Virginia War Memorial, located at 621 South Belvidere Street in Richmond, has been a place of tribute since its dedication in 1956. Its mission to honor veterans, preserve history, and inspire patriotism continues to resonate with thousands who visit annually.

For more information on the Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony, contact the Virginia War Memorial at 804.786.2060 or visit their website at www.vawarmemorial.org.