171207-N-BB261-0021 PEARL HARBOR (Dec. 7, 2017) The mooring dock of the USS Vestal (AR-4), the ship of Chief Boatswain’s Mate Joseph George, who was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor during a ceremony aboard the USS Arizona Memorial, rests in the waters of Pearl Harbor. The 76th commemoration, co-hosted by the U.S. Military, the National Park Service and the State of Hawaii, provided veterans, family members, service members and the community a chance to honor the sacrifices made by those who were present Dec. 7, 1941, as well as throughout the Pacific theater. Since the attacks, the U.S. and Japan have endured more than 70 years of continued peace, a cornerstone of security and prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. As a Pacific nation, the U.S. is committed to continue its responsibility of protecting the Pacific sea-lanes, advancing international ideals and relationships, well as delivering security, influence and responsiveness in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jonathan Stremel/Released)