By Kaelyn Frenzel
Honoring America’s Veterans is proud to host the 2025 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at Wesley Bolin Amphitheatre in Phoenix on Saturday, Dec. 6. As the nation approaches the 84th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the ceremony offers the community a chance to remember lives lost, honor the heroes who served and reflect on the sacrifices made during one of America’s most pivotal moments in history.
For the second year in a row, the Musical Theatre of Anthem Outreach Group will lend its voices to this important event. Comprised of talented young performers ages 11 to 18, the Outreach Group uses its love of music and theater to serve the community, performing at schools, hospitals and civic events. At the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony, the group will perform patriotic and reflective music and read letters written on the day of the attack, bringing history to life in a deeply personal and moving way. Their performance reminds attendees that music is more than entertainment, it is a bridge between generations, a way to honor the past and a means of keeping the memory of heroism alive.
Event details:
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025
- Time: 10:55 a.m. Program Begins
- Location: Wesley Bolin Plaza Amphitheater, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix
The ceremony will feature a keynote address by U.S. Navy veteran Wanda Sartain, whose lifelong dedication to service includes restoring, along with her late husband, James Perry Sartain Jr., the mini-USS Arizona battleship model used in Tora! Tora! Tora!. She continues to preserve the history of the USS Arizona Memorial, ensuring that the stories of those who served are never forgotten.
Sartain said, “Honoring the past isn’t just about preserving history, it’s about carrying forward the courage and resilience of those who came before us.”
The program will also include wreath placements, patriotic music and tributes to those who served aboard the USS Arizona, giving attendees a chance to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of America’s service members.
According to Paula Pedene, executive director of Honoring America’s Veterans, “Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is a powerful reminder of the courage ordinary Americans showed in the face of extraordinary danger. It is our privilege to gather each year to honor their sacrifice and to ensure their legacy continues to inspire courage, unity and service in all of us.”
The participation of the Musical Theatre of Anthem Outreach Group adds a unique dimension to the ceremony. Through its performance, the youth ensemble demonstrates the power of community, storytelling and music in preserving history. It is a vivid example of how younger generations can engage with the past, learn about the bravery of those who came before and contribute to honoring veterans in meaningful ways. For these young performers, the ceremony is not just another performance, it is an opportunity to be part of living history, to connect with veterans and to remind the community that the sacrifices made at Pearl Harbor continue to resonate today.
Honoring America’s Veterans invites the public to attend this moving ceremony at Wesley Bolin Plaza. Whether through the stirring voices of the choir, the powerful words of Sartain, or the solemn moments of wreath placements and reflections, the event promises to be a heartfelt tribute to America’s veterans and a reminder of the enduring legacy of Pearl Harbor.
Join us on Dec. 6, 2025, to honor our heroes, reflect on history and experience a ceremony that unites generations through courage, remembrance and music.
Lest we forget.