Today is December 7th.
71 years ago, the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, triggering the United States entry into World War 2.
71 years ago, Japanese bombs rained down on Pearl Harbor. The skies were filled with acrid smoke from flaming warships and burning planes.
Within three hours, the attack was over.
Three and a half years later, Pearl Harbor was avenged as a defeated Japan surrendered to American forces in Tokyo Bay.
While many remember Pearl Harbor still to this day, many Americans are today clueless about what happened on that Sunday morning so long ago.
Time has passed. For those who survived Pearl Harbor, they had lives to live. Many of those lives would be cut short in the upcoming war. Most would live on to see America’s victory and the post war era.
Time eventually makes wars fade. Japan our one time nemesis is now one of our closest allies. Those young men who fought on warships that day are now mostly gone. Along with them most of the greatest generation has now passed as well.
In Hawaii, the signs of the attack are mostly gone. If you go to Hickman field, there are still hangers standing from that day that still have bullet holes in them. On one side of Ford Island is a battleship built to help bring Japan to her knees.
USS Missouri is today a tourist attraction. Two other ships remain from the attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona quietly rusts. Her hull is the tomb for 1100 sailors and marines. Oil still bleeds from her hull. On the other side of Ford Island, almost unknown is the wreck of USS Utah. Utah was a former battleship that had been converted into a target ship. Mistaken for an aircraft carrier, Japanese planes swarmed it. Utah capsized and became the final resting place for 31 sailors.
Today, very few remember Pearl Harbor. Even the children of December 7th, those who remain are in their eighties.
Japan attacked America on that day because they believed they could. Japan believed they could either defeat America or at least make America sue for peace on favorable terms to Japan.
As we remember those who fell on that bright Sunday morning so long ago, we must also remember the lesson of Pearl Harbor. America cannot afford to be weak nor can we afford to look weak.
Contrary to what the left thinks, preparing for war does cause war. No nation launches a war against a nation it believes will defeat it. A strong nation and a strong military guarantees peace.
If you are fortunate enough to still have a member of the greatest generation in your family, take a moment tonight or this weekend to spend some time with them. Most of the generation that saved the world from tyranny are now gone.
In only a few more years, none will be left.
Then, it will be up to history to remember Pearl Harbor.
Permalink Reply by Susan J.Morningstar on Pearl Harbor happened the day before my tenth birthday, and President Roosevelt declared war on my birthday. I still remember the terrible shock. I also remember that the young men from our little town in the hills kept going away to war, only the young and unattached at first. but, finally my dad, who was father of four, had to go for a physical. Several of those guys never came home, and among them was my future brother-in-law. A paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, he was shot as he tried to land in the Battle of the Bulge.
His youngest brother also gave his life for this country in Korea, missing in action, but never found. I often wonder if the country realizes how many lives were given for our freedom, and that it has, in the last election, made their sacrifice null and void. Can you imagine their mother's anguish? How horribly sad I am about all this!
Unfortunately, they continue to change our History to sway the young and naive to continue to follow the pied piper. As more forget or even never hear about the Heros from our past they place those like Obama on a pedistal and praise him as their savor. On November 06, 2012 I lost hope for the future of this country even though I have not given up, I do know the takers are in charge and as long as they are taking from those that are productive and giving to those that depend on them, they will rule until the money runs out or civil disobeience takes the front page. I promise to uphold the Constitution no matter how many of our so called leaders trash it and should I get the chance to vote them out I will do so respectively. Our only hope is our states rights and we have to defend that with a line in the sand or we are doomed for sure.
Permalink Reply by Frank Chance Chenoweth on It is truly scary to think what might now if we were attacked by a foreign power. Are we ready? Could we win a third World War? I worry about that--and we may get the answers sooner rather than later . . . ! --Frank Nitty
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