December 7, 1941

[JB]

64 years ago today I sat by our family radio with my family and listened to news reports of thousands of Americans dying at Pearl Harbor.<br /><br />51 years ago today I stood on a platform built over the hull of the USS Arizona. My companion and guide had been there, in the tower on NAS Ford Island, on that terrible day 13 years before.<br /><br />We watched, in silence, the drops of oil that popped to the surface a few feet away and burst into rainbow hued puddles.<br /><br />Let us not forget the boys who died in outraged surprise on that day, and be ever prepared to defend the freedoms that they paid so high a price for.

 

[NMplayer]

Re: December 7, 1941

So be it

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: December 7, 1941

Spot on.

 

[heycods]

Re: December 7, 1941

SO mote it be

 

[tcube]

Re: December 7, 1941

24 years ago today, the 40th anniversary of the attack, I was privileged to walk around both Pearl Harbor and Hickam AFB with a survivor. It was one of the most profound days of my life.

 

[QC]

Re: December 7, 1941

Well said JB. I have also been to the Arizona Memorial. If any of you are ever in Hawaii, you must see it. Very moving . . .<br /><br />I will never forget and hope the rest of the country will be reminded that there have been, are, and always will be people that want to hurt us.<br /><br />Edit: Same night that we visited, Mighty Mo was being towed back and forth in front of Honolulu. She was lit up and there were fireworks as we flew out for home. Pretty fitting end to a special day for my family.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: December 7, 1941

Well stated.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: December 7, 1941

Well before my time, still the haunting news reel images flash in my mind whenever it’s mentioned. I am curious as to how today’s news reports would cover the story. Still remember the words uttered by a Japanese official. We have awakened a sleeping giant and have instilled in him a terrible resolve. Seems that fear no longer exists in today’s world.

 

[deeep water]

Re: December 7, 1941

thankyou to all that went before me thankyou to all that served beside me and god keep all you now that are in harms way

 

[ZooMbr]

Re: December 7, 1941

5 month old at the time and it still has an effect on me; through the memorys of family and friends. Thanks to all who serve/served!!

 

[MudIsFun]

Re: December 7, 1941

"We have awakened a sleeping giant and have instilled in him a terrible resolve." <br /><br />I beleive this was Admiral Yamamotto (sp?) who said this. <br /><br />I was privlidged several years ago to be at the memorial. While waiting for my groups turn there was a guest speaker who was discribing the attack. His name is/was Mr. Stratton. He was only 1 of 3 people still alive (2002) who were physically on the Arizona during the attack. Many of the crew is still alive to this day but most of them were not on board at the time of the sneak attack. This man was stuck up high in the observation tower. He and several of his mates had to escape through fire (enemy and the flames) by sliding down a cable into the water below. He spent many months in burn wards and other treatment facilities. Very moving. I will not forget this man until the day I die. It is definately a diffrent version of history to hear about it from someone who was there versus reading about it in a history book.<br /><br />God Bless America.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: December 7, 1941

"A day that will live in infamy"<br />It always surprises/saddens me when I ask anyone if they know what today is and all I get is a blank stare.

 

[deeep water]

Re: December 7, 1941

its a day of sadness for the whole world,, many nations lost many,,some islands were wiped out,,whole tribes killed

 

[eeboater]

Re: December 7, 1941

...........

 

[Pony]

Re: December 7, 1941

well said by all...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: December 7, 1941

thanks JB, and thanks to all who served!<br /><br />Local noon news does a "this day in history" factoid every day and it's always something obscure... well today the anchor announced "and now this day in history" and the screen was blank. I was thinking, "yeah what else could be more important than December 7, 1941"

 

[DJ]

Re: December 7, 1941

Thanks JB.<br /><br />My parents just left from a week long visit. My father was a WWII Bomber Pilot (B-24).<br /> <br />As always, I thanked him for his service. For the first time in my 46 years, I saw a tear in his eye. I asked why? He said, "it all seems for nought-now." People seem to embrace what we fought against".<br /><br />I asked him, if he could do it again-would he?<br /> <br />His reply-"damn right I would."