Fountain Hills will remember the horrific attack on U.S. Forces on Hawaii 83 years ago and honor all who died that day and during the subsequent days of WWII with a commemorative ceremony.

The event is held at the Fountain Hills Veterans Memorial at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7.

On Dec. 7, 1941, forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked U.S. military forces in Hawaii in a surprise attack that sparked U.S. involvement in WWII.

Each year this horrific day that will live in infamy is commemorated by the various Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) in Fountain Hills which are Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7507, American Legion Post 58 and Marine Corps League Detachment 1439 with the responsibility for organizing rotating among them.

This year’s commemorative ceremony is led by VFW Post 7507, commanded by Navy Veteran Don Hervey.

The keynote speaker will be State Senator Ken Bennett, who as AZ Secretary of State found and arranged for the last remaining 14” gun from the USS Arizona BB-39 to be brought to Arizona and placed alongside the mainmast and 10-ton anchor at the USS Arizona BB 39 Memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza in the State Capitol complex, according to a press release.

Additionally, he found and brought to the plaza a 16” gun for the latest battleships to be laid alongside. Thus, he bookmarked the memorial with guns from the earliest battleship of WWII and the latest BB from the war.

The public is invited to attend the 10 a.m. ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Fountain Hills Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park.

Wearing a uniform, partial uniform or other patriotic clothing is appropriate.