Aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) departed Pearl Harbor, Dec. 8, after taking part in National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day events.

John C. Stennis Sailors participated in events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu, which precipitated the United States' entry into World War II.

The theme of this year's commemoration, "Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future," is highlighted through events which will continue through Dec. 11, including remembrance events, concerts, and performances by military and civilian groups, themed movies on the beach, events for World War II and Pearl Harbor survivors and veterans, educational opportunities, and the Honolulu Marathon.

From Dec. 3-8, John C. Stennis hosted 2,208 visitors, including retired Army National Guard Col. Donald "Doc" E. Ballard, a Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient; retired Air Force Col. Bud Anderson, a three-time ace during World War II; Arizona Governor Doug Ducey; veterans; and their family and friends. John C. Stennis Sailors also attended the Pearl Harbor Invitational in Bloch Arena at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. College basketball teams from California, Hawaii, Princeton, and Seton Hall paid homage to the 75th anniversary with a series of games Dec. 6-7.

"I think it's awesome when we can all come together and represent the United States Navy," said Seaman Meissan McDaniel, from New Albany, Indiana, who attended the games both days. "When we rode the bus over there together, it made me remember back when I played sports and we would travel to whatever venue or opportunity we were presented with together."

John C. Stennis Sailors donned their dress white uniforms and joined other active-duty service members and veterans in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, Dec. 7, in Honolulu.

"Right when we started marching, everyone started cheering for us, 'Go Navy!'" said Petty Officer 3rd Class Arrington Jenkins, from Arlington, Texas. "It was a pretty amazing experience, especially seeing all of the veterans ... us walking by and them saluting us. It's a humbling feeling."

After its departure from Hawaii, John C. Stennis will conduct at-sea training to build and maintain technical and operational proficiency.

For more information on commemorative events, visit http://pearlharbor75thanniversary.com/full-schedule-of-events/.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.stennis.navy.mil/ or http://www.facebook.com/stennis74/.