As a bell tolls for those lost, military veterans who survived the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor will sprinkle water taken near the sunken battleship USS Arizona onto roses that will be dropped onto the Statue of Liberty during ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary of America's entry into World War II on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m. at the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport, 1230 New Hwy. in Farmingdale, (south of Conklin Avenue).

The public is invited to attend the ceremonies as guests of the Air Force Association's Long Island Chapter that is coordinating the event. It will also include a gathering of 9/11 FDNY veterans who will share their experiences with Pearl Harbor veterans as the two groups, and others, mark the surprise attack on American soil and the destruction of the American fleet at Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Following the program, a formation of vintage aircraft will fly over the museum with roses destined for the State of Liberty where they will be dropped at the time of the attack by Imperial Japanese aircraft.

Republic Airport Director Michael Geiger stated, "Dec. 7 is not only a date that will "live in infamy," as President Roosevelt described the attack before Congress, but one that defined American courage, duty and valor. I can't think of a more appropriate anniversary when we stop our normal course of business and attend a program that pays homage to those who died, those who survived and the lessons we learned that day that our nation will remember in perpetuity."

For more information on the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport, and its squadron of operational World War II aircraft, visit www.americanairpowermuseum.com.