Exactly eight decades to the day, its impact on world events cannot be overstated.

It was only fitting, then, that Dec. 7, 1941, be recognized as a watershed moment in American history that changed the direction of our country.

The Lehighton United Veterans Organization met at 12:48 p.m. Tuesday at the Lehighton Veterans Memorial Park to observe the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lehighton UVO Commander Kevin “Spike” Long discussed the historical significance of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

“We gather here today to remember that fateful day 80 years ago and we may never forget,” Long said.

Lehighton Mayor Clark Ritter gave opening remarks and said the attacks represented “a terrible day.”

“Today we give thanks to our veterans and especially members of the Greatest Generation,” Ritter said.

Carbon County Director of Veterans Affairs Christine LeClair noted that while it’s known as a day that will live in infamy, it should really be recalled as a day of bravery.

Retired Capt. Neil C. Stubits, U.S. Navy Submarine Service, served as main speaker.

A 1978 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, Stubits is a submarine warfare qualified officer and has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards) and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).

Stubits said that on Dec. 7, 1941, at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time, 353 Imperial Japanese aircraft in two waves launched from six aircraft carriers attacked the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. The Japanese aircraft were launched about 6:10 a.m. from the Japanese aircraft carriers about 200 miles north of Oahu.

He said 90 minutes after it began, the attack was over. The end result was 2,008 sailors were killed and 710 others wounded; 218 soldiers and airmen (who were part of the Army before the Independent United States Air Force in 1947) were killed and 364 wounded; 109 Marines were killed and 69 wounded; and 68 civilians were killed and 35 wounded. In total, 2,403 Americans were killed, and 1,143 were wounded, while 18 ships were sunk or run aground, including eight battleships (four sunk).

Stubits said that Dec. 7, 1941, “is a day that needs to be remembered for many reasons.”

“First and foremost, for the significant loss of life and sacrifice that was made by those who fought there, and the enduring hardships experienced by the families and a nation in the aftermath,” Stubits said. “But as I hope I have illustrated, the remembrance of Pearl Harbor is significant because of the impact it had on world events of the time.”

Stubits said he spent three years stationed in Pearl Harbor, and that while there, he and his wife “had the privilege to take the short boat ride to the Arizona memorial.”

“As you look down on the sunken battleship below the harbor’s surface and realize that men still remain there entombed from Dec. 7, 1941, a lump enters your throat, and a tear forms in your eye,” he said. “These men were not aware of what that Sunday morning would bring upon them, but they fought bravely, answered the call, and on this day, 80 years later, and any other day, we shall not forget what they did there and the impact their sacrifice had on the United States and the world.”

There was also a wreath laying, dedication of services, moment of silence, and military honors at the end of the program.