Minnesotans have often found themselves on the frontline of history. At no time was that more true than on December 7, 1941. Eighty years later, Minnesotans are finding new ways to never forget Pearl Harbor and redoubling efforts to share the stories of Minnesota’s WWII Veterans with future generations.

Minnesotans remembered the 80th anniversary of the deadly Pearl Harbor attacks by participating in a special virtual program hosted by the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum. The program featured two noted authors, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs and others.

Danny Spewak, author of From the Gridiron to the Battlefield, spoke about how the University of Minnesota football team responded to the attack. A countdown of major events that lead to that fateful morning was discussed by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Twomey, author of Countdown to Pearl Harbor.

MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke acknowledged the Minnesotans who served at Pearl Harbor, noting that one of Minnesota’s connections to the attack on Pearl Harbor was through the U.S.S. Ward. The ship’s crew included many sailors from St. Paul. The Ward had the distinction of firing the first American shots of World War II while patrolling just outside Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

To support the many Minnesotans who served in World War II, the Minnesota Legislature established the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs in 1943 to consolidate and strengthen services provided to Veterans and their families. We have proudly served since and today continue to serve more than 300,000 Minnesota Veterans and their families.