AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed a proclamation to honor those Americans who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

On that day, a Japanese force of 193 airplanes attacked United States military facilities at the Hawaii Island of Oahu without warning, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. As a result of the surprise attack, more than 2,300 U.S. service personnel were killed, nearly 1,300 were wounded and nearly 1,000 missing, according to museum.

The United States declared war on Japan on Dec. 8, 1941, and Germany and Italy in turn declared war on the United States on Dec. 11. The United States then declared war on the two countries allied with Japan.

“Pearl Harbor Day is one of the significant anniversaries of World War II, which reminds of the great sacrifices our military men and women bear to defend and protect our freedoms,” said LePage in a prepared statement. “We are a brave and resilient Nation because of these heroes, and I thank and honor the men and women, past and present, who have given so much for our way of life.”

President Barack Obama has ordered flags to half staff on Sunday, Dec. 7 to commemorate National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The following local observances of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day will be held on Sunday:

Ӣ In Old Orchard Beach, a flag raising at Veterans Memorial Park will be held at 7:48 a.m.

Ӣ In Saco, a short, informal ceremony will take place at Laurel Hill Cemetery at noon.

”¢ In Sanford, a ceremony at Number One Pond, near the rotary on William Oscar Emery Drive, will be at 10 a.m. The ceremony will include an opening prayer, laying of a wreath in the water, blowing the bosun’s whistle, and the playing of taps. A brunch follows at the AMVETS post on School Street.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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