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KING— On the 71st anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Gov. Scott Walker is honoring Wisconsin veterans in King. About 200 people came out for the ceremony, including a few Pearl Harbor survivors living at the veteran's home.

Army Veteran Alvin Krueger is one of less than 8,000 living Pearl Harbor survivors. He was asleep the morning of the attack. "The corporal looked out to see the Japanese planes, he said on to barracks it’s the real thing and everyone ran out.  (We) should have stayed in, we went out there was a dead body lying out there, we never had a helmet or anything, one guy put an empty water bucket on his head for a helmet,” Krueger said.

With most World War II vets now in their 80's and 90's, survivors like Clyde Stephenson say it’s vital to remind younger generations about Pearl Harbor.

“Of course you can't forget the day, but I’m 92 years old, lucky I’m still around,” Stephenson said.

Gov. Walker says December 7, 1941 is comparable to September 11, 2001 for World War II veterans.

"Sometimes we take it for granted that for men and women of that era, an attack against the United States on American soil was a tremendous shock,” Gov. Walker said.

As for the veterans who survived the attack, they’re thankful for those who honor the lives lost so this day is never forgotten.

Wisconsin has several ties to Pearl Harbor; more than 200 Badgers were at the base the day of the attack. About 40 of those soldiers died. A pair of Wisconsin sailors were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery.