Friday marked the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
It was a surprise hit by Japan that thrust our country into World War II.
Friday morning, local veterans and others gathered at Union Cemetery for a special remembrance ceremony.
A cold, gloomy morning was the backdrop for the somber ceremony, marking the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
"He was awakened to the sound of planes which wasn't unusual, but there was something different about them. They seemed louder or more of them." Ruth Boone's husband, Roger, was there when the first bomb was dropped.
"He was on the third story and he saw the rising sun on the bottom of the winds and he knew they were under attack," she continued.
At 9:55 Friday morning, the time of the attack 71 years ago, some local residents paused to remember the 2,400 men and women who lost their lives.
The ceremony at the historic Union Cemetery in Bakersfield featured the few remaining local survivors, their widows and families, along with other veterans.
"It takes you back to the experiences on December 7th," said Pearl Harbor survivor Alfred Rodriguez.
"To me it was an act of terrorism. I don't want to see that happen again." said Pearl Harbor survivor Joseph Licastro.
Marc Sandall helped organize the ceremony. He says it's important Americans never forget the events of that fateful day and the good that came out of it.
"When that happened, it brought all of our folks together. From whatever country they immigrated from, they came together for one common cause, to keep America free," said Sandall.
