August 2026

Pearl Harbor 85th Commemoration

The 85th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor will be commemorated on Dec. 7, bringing national attention to the USS Arizona Memorial and the enduring legacy of those who served and sacrificed in 1941. Pacific Historic Parks and the National Park Service want to update you on the programs being planned.

Commemorative events, beginning Sunday, Dec. 6, will include ceremonies, moments of remembrance, and educational programs aimed at engaging future generations in the history and significance of Dec. 7, 1941.

This milestone anniversary is both a time of reflection and a call to continued stewardship of the memorial and mission. While we appreciate your support of our Pacific Historic Parks efforts, including education and preservation, we hope you will consider extending that generosity to support the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which remains one of the nation’s most recognizable symbols of personal sacrifice and remembrance. The keynote speaker on Dec. 7 will be Clifton Truman Daniel, the grandson of President Harry S. Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. Daniel, who serves as the honorary chairman of the board of the Truman Library Institute, was a guest speaker at the Sadako Peace Ceremony at Pearl Harbor National Memorial on May 25, 2026. 

Courage of Commitment

The 85th Anniversary Commemoration theme, "Courage of Commitment," is more than a tribute to the fallen—it is a charge passed to each of us who carry their memory forward. It underscores that courage and commitment are inseparable: courage without commitment is fleeting, and commitment without courage is hollow.

When you stand before the marble wall of the USS Arizona Memorial, bearing 1,177 names, you are face to face with Sailors and Marines who held their battle stations at the cost of their lives—the very union of valor and devotion this theme celebrates. Yet "Courage of Commitment" reaches beyond sacrifice, speaking to the survivors who fought on and chose to rest eternally beside their fallen shipmates, and to a generation that built this memorial as a promise that the price of peace would never be forgotten.

That promise now rests with us. Through your generosity, the light of the Tree of Life continues to illuminate those engraved names, ensuring they are seen, remembered, and honored by generations to come. Your support is how we carry the mantle—preserving their stories, sustaining this sacred place, and summoning the steadfast courage to protect the fragile peace secured by those who never came home.

Floral Wreaths

There is something to be said for the sight of fresh floral wreaths lined up along the park's shoreside during the commemoration in honor of our fallen veterans. They will be placed there the day before Dec. 7 and will remain up for five days. If you would like to have a symbol of victory, bravery, and peace through a donated flower wreath, you can email shatada@pacifichistoricparks.org more information or to request a form.

Parks for Peace Student Exchange

Honouliuli A History Awakened

Benefit Concert

Excitement is building for the Honouliuli A History Awakened, presented by Pacific Historic Parks on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4:00 p.m. at the historic Hawaiʻi Theatre in downtown Honolulu. 

The benefit concert brings the history of the Honouliuli Internment Camp to life through music, dance, and storytelling.  

Guam Liberation Day

Children and their families hitched their four wheels at Wagon Day on July 21, 2026 in celebration of the 82nd Anniversary of Guam’s Liberation. At the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, families and supporters of the National Park Service and Pacific Historic Parks gathered for a day of remembrance.

Using recycled or repurposed materials, the children showed how they used their creativity to construct their own little wagons with the help of their family members. 

Participants also enjoyed family-fun activities designed to teach children about the significance of Liberation Day.

The event featured a moving photo and illumination display, recognizing survivors, families, and Guam’s wartime history. The theme, Para I Gloria (“For Our Honor, For Our Glory”), was chosen for this year’s event to honor the resilience, courage, and unity of the CHamoru people and all who endured the events of World War II.

127th VFW National Convention

Pacific Historic Parks was honored to attend this month's 127th VFW National Convention in Reno, Nevada, where we connected with veterans' organizations from across the country and celebrated their enduring commitment to service. 

Honor a Hero

As Veterans Day approaches on Nov. 11, we invite you to honor their legacy through our exclusive flag program. Many supporters choose to have a flag flown over the USS Arizona Memorial on a meaningful date, creating a lasting tribute to a veteran, loved one, or special occasion while supporting the preservation of these sacred historic sites.

Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to preserving our historic sites and expanding educational opportunities for students.

Pacific Historic Parks is the leading organization supporting and preserving significant historical sites in the Pacific for future generations. Through education, interpretive programs, research, preservation, and restoration, we work to perpetuate the memory of events and honor the people involved in these historic Pacific locations.