A TIME TO REMEMBER When the heads of the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg planned the museum’s official mainland commemoration of the Pearl Harbor anniversary, they knew it was going to be important—this, after all, is the sixtieth year since the 1941 attack. More than three hundred survivors plan to attend the only national ceremony open to the public. Former president George Bush is scheduled to speak, and James Bradley, the author of Flags of Our Fathers, will be on hand. The only living Medal of Honor recipient from the attack, John Finn, is expected to attend some of the activities. A parade will feature vintage World War II aircraft, and F-18 Hornets will fill the sky in a missing-man formation. Despite the terrorist attacks of September 11, all the events will proceed as planned. But a renewed interest in the raid brings additional significance to the memorial proceedings. “Everybody can visualize the military damage that took place at Pearl Harbor,” says Bradley, “but I think this December people will delve deeper into the question of the civilian reaction.” (See Elsewhere: Other Events.)
