Dozens gathered at Torrington's Veterans Memorial Committee in Coe Park for a Pearl Harbor Day Observance.

Saturday marked the 78th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

The surprise raid on the U.S. Navy base near Honolulu killed more than 2,400 Americans, including 17 Connecticut service members. The event catapulted the United States into World War II.

Every Dec. 7, Torrington’s Veterans Memorial Committee holds a remembrance event.

Committee Chairman Leo Martigneni says he hopes events like these will help future generations appreciate the sacrifice made by many veterans.

World War II veteran John Mastrocla, 94, was at the event. He joined the Navy in 1943 at the age of 17 and was a medic.

Martigneni says it’s special to come across World War II veterans like Mastrocla.

“We're losing a treasure with our veterans, with our World War II veterans especially,” he says.

There was a rifle salute at the ceremony, and the committee asked anyone with a torn or damaged American flag to bring it to be properly retired.

People attending the event could also bring a wreath to lay in honor of different groups who served.