At the National World War Two Museum, there was heartfelt applause for the men who were at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese surprise attack destroyed eight battleships, 300-aircraft, and killed 2000 Americans.
"We pay tribute to thousands of Americans who perished that Sunday morning, promising lives cut short," said World War Two Museum Consultant Bill Detweiler.
Several WWII veterans, including some that witnessed the Pearl Harbor bombings first hand, were in attendance to share their stories with another generation.
"I was in the Navy Band # 8 on the battleship," said Frank Emond, "and the band on the Arizona was all killed, they were about the same age as we were and were all our friends."
Frank Emond from Pensacola served on the battleship Pennsylvania, which was bombed in dry dock by the Japanese in what became a day of horrors.
"I was at Pearl Harbor when they bombed it and also in the first wave that went into Iwo Jima by Mount Suribachi," said Marine Sergeant and fellow Pearl Harbor Survivor William Braddock.
"I remember it like it was yesterday," said Survivor Cass Phillips. "I was at Naval Air Station Kanoehe, just across the island from Pearl, and they hit us maybe three minutes before they hit Pearl."
Radioman Cass Phillips would become a Navy pilot who would graduate from Tulane after the war. Pearl Harbor survivors know how important it is for Americans to remember the lessons of World War Two.
"The reason I want to do this is I want to see history told as it really happened," Phillips explained.
"I think the day is nice so that the young generation coming along can see what we went through, all so they can have what they have today," noted Braddock.
These men don't want to see history repeat itself.
"I think they need to know that there's enemies in the world, and if you're not strong enough, they're going to attack you," concluded Emond.