December 7, 1941

[Angry Bill]

‎71 years ago, the United States was attacked in Hawaii by a nation that thought a sleeping giant would be shut down. That day, brave men and woman stood up and fought back. They did not quit, nor did it cause America to live in fear. In fact, this action caused this nation

We will never forget that day of infamy, nor will forget the sacrifice made by members of our armed forces. Take a moment of silence to remember the sacrifices made.

 

[Zen Smoker222]

Yes bill great post we all need to remember that day and how those men and woman fought I just watched Pearl Harbor thank you for that post!

 

[javajunkie]

well said, sir.

 

[Robertsndr68]

Amen brother

 

[MoJo]

great post

 

[sean]

My Grandmother and all 5 brothers, born to illiterate immigrant Polish Jews who came her to escape the persecution prior to WWII , stood up on this day to defend their parent's new home. My Grandfather joined her in the army (they were secret high school sweethearts due to both family's religious differences), and later married her after he survived the Battle of the Bulge. I miss them both terribly, but I also count myself fortunate as one of the grandchildren who is lucky enough to be here when there are so many other potential grandparents who left this world on foreign soil while fighting for their country. God Bless the Greatest Generation and the Veterans it gave us.

 

[ATL]

Thanks for this great reminder, Bill. My grandfather served in the Pacific. Never spoke much of it because he deplored war and violence but he volunteered to serve and was proud to do so.

 

[Tobacco Giant]

The greatest generation for sure. Nice post.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Yes sir. As somber as it was, I loved living in Hawaii on this day to participate in the memorials, see the ceremonies, the living war vets and hearing all the stories. I met one of the last remaining survivors that still lived in Hawaii and was humbled speaking to him. As much hatred as there was (and still can be) towards Japan, he found it within himself to forgive the Japanese soldiers knowing they were just doing their job and that we nuked them and that so many Japanese were affected by that. He pushed year after year for people to let the hard feelings go saying we all have families that have been hurt, let's move forward. He was a great man and passed away a few years ago. He was a proud Patriot, but he also wanted to move forward.

 

[sean]

At the same time my wife's grandmother, now 89, was sent from their strawberry farm in Huntington Beach, California to Jerome, Arkansas because they were of Japanese descent. It didn't matter they were born in America making them Americans. They were first taken to the Santa Anita race tracks near L.A.Airport and slept in horse stables. Then they were shipped in trains to camps all over the nation, taking 1 winter coat and a suitcase. Everything they had was left behind. Homes, personal belongings, family heirlooms an unharvested crops. And despite this, she still loves being an American an harbors no hard feelings for her experience. Her brothers proudly fought in 442nd. When 9/11 happened she cried because america was contemplating locking up a certain race again an she told me "America promised to never lock up their own people based on race, color, religion". Pearl harbor is where it all began but the "aftershocks" are not spoken of much. It was nice the u.s. govt gave a formal apology an $10k to all who were interned n still alive. Mind you this was pretty recent and nothing compared to being locked up in.camp for 4 years +, and losing everything material - including their family farm and everything in it. Even still, no one could break her spirit and her hope for a brighter day! Life she says, "We have to forgive, but we can never forget."

 

[Alwayslit]

May we never forget what happened 83 years ago.

 

[icehog3]

God bless all those who lost their lives that day.