Participants in a ceremony marking the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor place their hands over their hearts or salute as “Taps” is played Saturday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevin)

PARKERSBURG — Members of local veterans groups gathered on a cold Saturday morning at Point Park to mark the 83rd anniversary of the attack that drew the United States into World War II.

On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The bombing killed more than 2,300 American servicemen, nearly half of whom were sailors and Marines aboard the USS Arizona.

“Those people were surprised by the attack, and they defended our country to make her what she is today,” said April Binkney, secretary and treasurer of the Veterans Museum of the Mid-Ohio Valley. “So we need to honor (them).”

Binkney shared information about the USS West Virginia, which sank in the attack but was pulled from the water, repaired over the course of nearly four years and was in Tokyo Harbor when the Japanese surrendered to end the war.

Harold Smith, a Marine Corps veteran and member of the local Marine Corps League Detachment 1087, said his uncle was at Pearl Harbor and survived the attack.

Marine Corps League Detachment 1087 member Jon Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, carries a wreath to place in the Ohio River on behalf of the detachment during a ceremony organized by local veterans groups to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor Saturday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“It means a lot to memorialize all those who came before me and sacrificed for this country,” he said.

After the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps,” the detachment presented donations of $750 each to representatives of the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia and the Fraternal Order of Police Blennerhassett Lodge 79 to support their programs serving children in need during the Christmas season.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

Two boys watch as Army veteran and Marine Corps League Detachment 1087 member Jerry Smith tosses a wreath into the Ohio River on behalf of the local Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans organization during a ceremony organized by local veterans groups to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor Saturday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Mike Carvell, with the Veterans Museum of the Mid-Ohio Valley, tosses a wreath into the Ohio River representing the U.S. Army during a ceremony organized by local veterans groups to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the Naval base in Pearl Harbor Saturday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Two boys watch as Disabled American Veterans Chapter 32 Auxiliary Commander Janet Layton throws a wreath into the Ohio River on behalf of the auxiliary during a ceremony organized by local veterans groups to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor Saturday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Members of American Legion Post 15 perform a 21-gun salute during a ceremony recognizing the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii Saturday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

U.S. Air Force veteran Ed Layton throws a wreath into the Ohio River representing the Air Force during a ceremony organized by local veterans groups to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor Saturday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

From left, Brooke Heck and Jodi Null, with the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, accept a ceremonial check from Marine Corps League Detachment 1087 Commandant Phil Johnston and Adjutant Paymaster Harold Smith to contribute to Christmas gifts and services for kids they serve Saturday at Point Park. The presentation followed a ceremony marking the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

From left, Parkersburg Police Patrolman 1st Class Tony Deskins accepts a ceremonial check from Marine Corps League Detachment 1087 Commandant Phil Johnston and Adjutant Paymaster Harold Smith to contribute to Fraternal Order of Police Blennerhassett Lodge 79’s annual Shop with a Cop efforts. The presentation was made Saturday at Point Park following a ceremony in recognition of the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

U.S. Air Force veteran Ed Layton salutes after throwing a wreath into the Ohio River representing the Air Force during a ceremony organized by local veterans groups to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on the Naval base at Pearl Harbor Saturday morning at Point Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)