Today is the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the event that launched the U.S. into World War II. Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, the state’s official veterans’ advocate, is asking Missourians to help preserve that history for generations to come.

There are 11 survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor still alive in Missouri. Kinder says preserving their stories is more important that ever, with most survivors now into their 90s. Kinder says his goal is to encourage the education of younger generations about the Greatest Generations’ sacrifice and contribution to history and freedom.

He says it’s unfortunate there’s no money in the state budget to archive survivor stories, and turns to volunteers for help, although he’s headed up efforts to do that at the state level in the past. He says it’s more important than ever for family members and volunteers to record oral and written stories of survivors before it’s too late.

The 11 Missourians are among fewer than 3,000 remaining survivors registered with the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, which was chartered by Congress in 1958. The organization came to an end last year because so few survivors remain.

AUDIO: Jessica Machetta reports (1:21)