«
»

70 years ago today: A date which will live in infamy

Posted 07 Dec 2011 in patriotism, war

“...December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of American was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor when Japan bombed the U.S. Pacific Fleet anchored in Hawaii. The Washington Times interviewed a few of the surviving veterans who witnessed the attack:

Jay Groff, 89, served in the Army Air Corps Rescue Boat Service at Pearl Harbor, Oahu. Groff calls the attack the most important day of the 20th century, adding that "the world changed for the United States."

Since the 1950s, Mr. Davis and others have kept their legacies alive through the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, but the group will disband at the end of the year. Its members are nearing 90 years older, and many have serious health problems.

“It was just getting to be too much for them. The youngest survivors are 88 years old,” said Carol Gladys, the daughter of a Pearl Harborsurvivor and secretary of Sons and Daughters, Pearl Harbor Survivors Inc. It’s been in existence since the 1970s, but now will play a much larger role in ensuring the stories aren’t forgotten.

“I think we have a lot of work ahead of us. You walk up to a lot of younger people and ask them what the USS Arizona was, and they have no idea,” Ms. Gladys said. “The younger generation, they have no idea what happened in Hawaii.”

Given how few survivors remain, and how forgetful we are becoming as a nation, articles like this which feature the first-hand accounts from our veterans are a must-read. The memories and lessons of that day — and the war that followed — are being lost. Neither Google nor Yahoo did anything special to commemorate today. We must never forget the attack on Pearl Harbor. And we must never be lulled into the false notion that isolationism will keep our country safe.

—
RELATED:

Pearl Harbor Attack Remembered at 70th Anniversary

About 120 survivors of the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor observed a moment of silence to commemorate the Japanese attack and the thousands who lost their lives that day 70 years ago Wednesday.

The moment of silence came just before 8 a.m. local time, when the first Japanese planes launched their attack. The survivors were joined by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, military leaders and civilians at a ceremony in Pearl Harbor.

Altogether 3,000 people attended the event at a site overlooking the sunken USS Arizona and the white memorial that straddles the battleship.

President Obama hailed veterans of the bombing in a statement proclaiming Wednesday as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”

“Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and their valor fortified all who served during World War II. As a nation, we look to December 7, 1941, to draw strength from the example set by these patriots and to honor all who have sacrificed for our freedoms,” he said.

Also this week, five ash scattering and interment ceremonies are being held for five survivors whose cremated remains are returning to Pearl Harbor after their deaths.

On Tuesday, an urn containing the ashes of Lee Soucy was placed on his battleship, the USS Utah, which is lying on its side near the place where it sank. The ashes of Vernon Olsen, who was on the Arizona during the attack, will be placed on his ship late Wednesday.

The U.S. lost 12 vessels that day, but the Arizona and the Utah are the only ones still sitting in the harbor. The attack brought the United States into World War II.

Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT

Leave A Comment