Bangor Observes Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at Noon

Just in case you see an American flag flying at half staff and wonder why, today is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The flags fly at half staff until sunset to honor those who died as a result of the attack on U.S. military forces in Hawaii.

2,403 Americans were killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7^th, 1941. The United States declared war on Japan the next day, entering World War II

Pearl Harbor Day is not a federal holiday. Government offices, schools, and businesses do not close.

However, there will be a ceremony today at 12 Noon on the Willard C. Orr Kenduskeag Stream Bridge in downtown Bangor

All are invited to attend the ceremony.

The Bangor High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) will provide music.

And the ceremony will include a 21 rifle salute.

Very fitting that we pay our respects today where the ceremony will occur.

According to the City of Bangor record, Private First Class Willard Carleton Orr was the only city resident who was killed during the December 7^th, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. He was only 21 years old.  He is considered ‘Missing in Action’ and is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, in Honolulu, Hawaii.