Remembering Pearl Harbor
“…a date which will live in infamy…”. And today we remember. If you’ve not visited the Memorial at Pearl Harbor and stood above the sunken tomb that was the USS Arizona to pay tribute to the men who lost their lives aboard her on that fateful day 66 years ago today, it should certainly be near the top your list of important things to do. It’s a reverent, almost spiritual experience you will long remember.
You may not realize that, every year, the ranks of veterans who lived through that horrific day grows thinner. They are old men now. Their memories are still tinged with the sadness that comes from the realization that soon they will all be gone and, as with other landmarks in American history like Gettysburg and Antietam, it will be up to the rest of us to keep the remembrances alive and never, ever forget what happened on that impossibly beautiful Sunday morning when the world turned upside down and changed all of us forever.
0755, 7 December, 1941.
Air Raid Pearl Harbor. This is no drill.
John Renn sent me a series of photos a couple years ago taken during and immediately following the air raid on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. I’d not seen them before and posted them on my AFP web site. I’m linking to them here as a reminder of the death and devastation that wakened “the sleeping giant” and caused Congress, the following day, to declare war against the Empire of Japan. The war lasted nearly four years and was indeed costly by every measure. But it taught us that, when our cause is just and we possess the will to fight, we will be victorious. We must never forget.
Janet put together this nicely produced tribute video. It’s about five minutes long. Take the time to watch it. And remember.
Doug
The USS Oklahoma Memorial was dedicated this morning on Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. After 66 years, the ship and the brave shipmates that perished that day are being memorialized.
11 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (11)
A very moving tribute, Doug. Too many Americans seem to have forgotten about Pearl and it's a crying shame. Thanks for remembering.
Wonderful remembrance post. I agree that too many are forgetting what happened that December 7 in 1941, how many died. It means the rest of us aren't doing our jobs od assuring that Americans alwaays remember how we were sucker-punched by the Japanese during peace negotiations, how and why we entered the long and costly war, and what we should learn from the experience. Thank you for your tribute. Thank you for remembering.
That was wonderful, a terrific remembrance!! I loved the FDR speech snipit and the recorded radio news break. The photos are great also because they illustrate how the sailors on the ground didn't realize what was happening at first. Imagine their fear when they did. Many were just 18 years old or so.
We must work to assure that this and future generations remember. Thank you for doing your part and God bless America!
Wonderful! And thanks for the footage on the USS Oklahoma dedication. It was long overdue.
For those of you that do not know, entering and leaving Pearl Harbor, every U.S. Navy ship renders honors to the USS Arizona which is still in commission.
God bless our WWII vets, survivors and those who have left us. They were truly the greatest generation.
Thank you for such a moving remembrance.
God Bless our WWII vets, a vanishing breed. May their stories never fade.
If you haven't stood on the deck of the USS Arizona Memorial and looked down at the sunken hull of the ship, scanned the markers on battleship row and then looked over at where the USS Missouri is docked, you owe it to yourself to make the trip. It is an emotional moment. If this doesn’t move you, nothing will.
I have and you are right. Few things will make me well up and cry. This did.
A wonderful remembrance, Doug, of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It would do us all good to consider what was given to reclaim our freedom. The price was great but was paid by those before us. Will we be ready to give as much should it be asked of us? I pray we will.
A beautiful post. God bless our veterans, passed and present.