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American Morning

Special Ceremony Held on 60-Year Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

Aired December 07, 2001 - 09:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Of course it was 60 years ago today that Japanese fighters launched a surprise morning attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. That attack repelled the United States into World War II. Nearly 2,400 Americans died in that attack, more than 1,100 wounded. A special ceremony will be held today at the National Memorial Cemetery in the Pacific, overlooking Honolulu.

Veterans are also gathering in New Orleans. The national D-Day Museum there will open a special exhibit today. It is just one of several events in that city to commemorate the Pearl Harbor anniversary.

Our own Martin Savidge joins us live for The Big Easy -- Marty.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Paula.

We wanted to step aside so we could show you one of the celebrities that are on hand here, actor Tom Hanks, well known for his portrayal in the World War II movie "Saving Private Ryan." He's also been a dedicated supporter for the memory of WWII.

December 7, 1941 is very much alive here. This is the largest gathering of World War II veterans since the end of World War II. They are here to dedicate the opening of the Pacific wing of the National D-Day museum, and they are also here to take part in a victory parade for all the thousands of veterans and their family members. Also on hand will be President George Bush Sr., who is a veteran of the Pacific theater, General Paul Tibbets, who was the commander of the Enola Day, that dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan and 14 Congressional Medal of Honor winners.

A significant day, not because of December 7, but also because of the heartfelt connections to September 11th, two days of infamy. Author and historian Stephen Ambrose talked about the very lively connection.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN AMBROSE, HISTORIAN: On December 6, 1941 we were a very badly divided country over the biggest question of the 20th century. Should America get into this war or not? December 7, that problem was gone. September 10, 2001, we were a divided country. We had voted 50/50 for the next president. We were arguing over taxes, what do with Social Security surplus. September 11th brought us together. (END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: You're looking at the faces of history now, the Congressional Medal of Honor winners, as they are seated in the front row. One of the things that these veterans point out from the perspective of history, they remind people that after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the end of '41, early '42, they were very grim, very fearful days. There was a lot of worry about when the next attack would come on the homefront, who would be struck next, a very similar reminder to the feelings of Americans today. But they point out, victory came from out of the darkest hours -- Paula.

ZAHN: Enjoy the celebration. Jack and I are jealous that you get to see these exhibits. We couldn't think of a bigger treat than to take a tour that.

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