67 Years ago. . . .

[JB]

On a Sunday evening I was gathered with my siblings around the family radio, listening the The Jack Benny Show.

A voice interrupted to announce that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor.

54 years ago I stood on a small platform above the USS Arizona while a friend who had been in the tower at NAS Ford Island related the experience of being there that day.

The events of those days and the 13 years between shaped me to a large extent, as they did the United States and my generation. . .and our parents generation.

"Remember Pearl Harbor" became an enraged battle cry but has since become a "Pearl who??"

Make sure your descendants learn about the what and why of Pearl Harbor.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

agreed, my parents 67th wedding aniversary, if they were still here, was yesterday.
this is one of the reasons, Jacksonville, needs a Nuclear Carrier, get them in more ports.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

I somberly remember it every year. And remind my wife of it any time she says that dropping The Bombs" on Japan wasn't fair.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

I was thinking about Pearl Harbor today..... a brutal time.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

And that act bye a brave president, oh so long ago, showed to the world that we will not sit idly bye while our soil is attacked.

It took almost 60 years before some country decided they would try our resolve as a nation again.

Why do you think they would think that?

Because even a barbarian can read. Even a barbarian no matter what they say, is not ready to go meet the maker.

Say what you will about our current president, but he didn't send the a-bomb as i would have, if i were the president.

As a measured move sent our formidable forces to wipe out the threat that faces us then, and faces us now.

It's not over yet friends, let us be vigilant in our efforts to maintain our way of life.

I would not have sent our young men and wemon into harms way, i would have identified who attacked us and dropped the bomb.

Then it would be another 60-70 years before some nation would seek to attack our home.

 

[mthieme]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

How do I explain the apology BS (albeit failed) to my grandson?
or do I?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

Savage attack,spurring drastic measures, (internment of Japanese Americans). And the rallying point for what would become "The Greatest Generation". May we never forget: "a date that will live in infamy"

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

Last 2 posts went over my head.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

First time that I can remember that a note of the occassion did not show up on the front page of our local newspaper.

It did show up on page two and on the front page of the C section however. Undoubtedly it is slipping into ancient history.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

A key moment in history. Not even a mention.

 

[oops!]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

i feel like a schmuck......here its pearl harbour day and im down here all giggles posting jokes.

im canadian so we get less reminders of this day than you do........but still thats no excuse.

pearl was one of the turning points in the worlds history

 

[mthieme]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

Curious, does 12/8/1941 have meaning in Canada.
This was the date of the Battle of Hong Kong. About 2000 Canadians stationed there were basically masacred or taken captive by an invading Japanese force.

 

[oops!]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

Curious, does 12/8/1941 have meaning in Canada.
This was the date of the Battle of Hong Kong. About 2000 Canadians stationed there were basically masacred or taken captive by an invading Japanese force.

nope......canadains are very americanized......as the majority of our television media has allways been from or majorly influinced by the states.

canadians have a very proud heritage....but we are too busy taking note of other trivial things rather then embrace our history

when somthing happens to you guys.....it happens to us too......as im not old enough to remember pearl.......(i have gone to the memorial twice).....my closest frame of reference is, 9 11.......when that happened....we were in just as much shock as you were......

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

Have to disagree with Oops.

We are, as a country, finally doing a really good job at passing on our military history to following generations.
Remembrance Day (our Veterans' Day, November 11th) ceremonies are increasingly involving schools and young people, and the interest that they show is genuine and a credit to them.
When my kids were 6 and 8 yrs old, I took them to the ceremony at our National War Memorial. They soaked it up like sponges.

Hong Kong does take a back seat to our WWII European because we had such a small overall participation in the Pacific Theatre...but for all that, we actually declared war on Japan before the US....though I believe that is only a formality and because you guys have more Ts to cross and i's to dot before you are "legal" to declare war.....the paperwork must get done, even in war...
The troops that were sent to Hong Long were under-equipped, under-manned, and the High Command knew that in the event of a Japanese attack they would/could not be reinforced. In other words, hung out to dry.
For all that, they hung on until Christmas day; there are some pretty good parallels with your Battle of Wake Island ~ no-hopers doing an amazing job.

Our Veterans Affairs Department has some pretty good accounts of the battle and the memorials that exist.

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=history/secondwar/asia/canhk

 

[angus63]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

This ceremony took place locally. The videos of the survivors are a good listen. I've worked with and taught Sea Cadets, and they're a dedicated group of good kids we can be proud of.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-linava0812247609dec08,0,3571198.story

 

[oops!]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

Have to disagree with Oops.

We are, as a country, finally doing a really good job at passing on our military history to following generations.
Remembrance Day (our Veterans' Day, November 11th) ceremonies are increasingly involving schools and young people, and the interest that they show is genuine and a credit to them.
When my kids were 6 and 8 yrs old, I took them to the ceremony at our National War Memorial. They soaked it up like sponges.

Hong Kong does take a back seat to our WWII European because we had such a small overall participation in the Pacific Theatre...but for all that, we actually declared war on Japan before the US....though I believe that is only a formality and because you guys have more Ts to cross and i's to dot before you are "legal" to declare war.....the paperwork must get done, even in war...
The troops that were sent to Hong Long were under-equipped, under-manned, and the High Command knew that in the event of a Japanese attack they would/could not be reinforced. In other words, hung out to dry.
For all that, they hung on until Christmas day; there are some pretty good parallels with your Battle of Wake Island ~ no-hopers doing an amazing job.

Our Veterans Affairs Department has some pretty good accounts of the battle and the memorials that exist.

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=history/secondwar/asia/canhk

dont know what side of the country you are on tim....but out west..... i dont see it.....of course memorial day.....but out side of that.....nuthin...
mabe somthing on de-eppe but on large....i just dont think we are doing good enough of a job remembering those who gave everything.

actually i have a really neat thing on canadians....i can pm ya......it would get zapped in dc ! if ya want it just ask

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: 67 Years ago. . . .

Ottawa.
Sure, PM away....