David M Jackson

USA TODAY

President-elect Donald Trump paid tribute Wednesday to the heroes of Pearl Harbor, saying "their shared sacrifice reminds us of the great costs paid by those who came before us to secure the liberties we enjoy, and inspires us to rise to meet the new challenges that stand before us today."

In a statement marking the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the Hawaii military base, Trump said "we pause today to remember the 2,403 American heroes who selflessly gave their lives." Echoing President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Trump called it "a date that will forever live in infamy."

The nation also honors "the 1,178 Americans who were wounded, and the countless others who instinctively did their duty, rushing to their posts in the midst of the chaos," Trump said.

While not specifying the nation's modern challenges, Trump said that "America’s enemies have changed over the past 75 years. But the fact remains, as President Reagan said when first proclaiming National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 'there can be no substitute for victory' in the pursuit of peace."

The president-elect added: "Today we are the bearers of the torch of freedom these brave Americans passed on to us. In honor of their faithfulness, and for the sake of generations to come, we will never allow that flame to be extinguished."

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