Pearl Harbor prepares for somber anniversary

Saturday marks 78 years since the Japanese attack on the base that spurred the United States’ entry into World War II. On Wednesday, Gabriel Romero, a 22-year-old sailor, opened fire in the Pearl Harbor shipyard, killing two people and wounding one other before killing himself. Romero was supposed to be guarding the USS Columbia submarine, which was in the shipyard for maintenance. An unnamed U.S. military official said Romero was unhappy with his commanders, was undergoing counseling, and faced non-judicial punishment for misconduct.

Has the base changed its plans for Saturday’s anniversary? Officials said they have heightened security but will go on with ceremonies as planned. Divers plan to inter the remains of a sailor inside the USS Arizona, which remains underwater in the harbor as a memorial. Lauren Bruner died in September at age 98 and will be the 44th and last Arizona crew member interred in the ship. The three remaining Arizona survivors plan to be buried with their families.

Dig deeper: Read more about Bruner, who at age 21 narrowly escaped the burning wreckage of the Arizona.