World War II Veterans Return To Pearl Harbor To Commemorate 72nd Anniversary

Seventy-two years later, veterans gathered in Honolulu, Hawaii, for the anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

On Saturday, about 50 survivors of Pearl Harbor returned to Hawaii for the 72nd anniversary of the attacks that launched the United States into World War II, CBS News reports.

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"I come back to be with my comrades - meet the ones who are still alive, and we're going fast," said Delton Walling, who was assigned to the USS Pennsylvania at the time of the 1941 attack.

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Pearl Harbor survivor Everett Highland

The Navy and National Park Service co-hosted the ceremony, which was open to the public.

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Pearl Harbor survivor Sam Clower talks with U.S. Army Sargeant Winney Clower (R) and U.S. Army Specialist Kevin Stevens

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Pearl Harbor survivor Allen Bodenlos drops rose pedals into the "Remembrance Well" as US Navy CTR1 Michael Temple watches while aboard the USS Arizona Memorial

The crowd of veterans, friends, family and locals observed a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., the minute the bombing began 72 years ago.

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Pearl Harbor survivor Peyton Smith (C) salutes

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Pearl Harbor survivor Ewalt Schatz takes a picture

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard performed a rifle salute.

Hugh Gentry / Reuters

Hugh Gentry / Reuters

Pearl Harbor survivor Dalton Walling and his fiance Joan Pohl look down at the sunken USS Arizona and the USS Missouri

Survivors of the attack were able to observe a "Remembrance Wall," with the names of those who died in Pearl Harbor.

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USS Arizona survivor Louis Conter looks at names of sailors that died from the attack.

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USS Arizona survivor Louis Conter salutes after placing a wreath at the "Remembrance Wall" on board the USS Arizona Memorial