I’ve been watching this forum carefully for the last while, looking for something I rather expected to come up as a topic of discussion here. I expected to see it before yesterday, or at least sometime during the day, but I did not. I saw some good topics, I saw some good replies, and I saw a lot of meaningless drivel too. But damned if there was no mention whatsoever of something very significant.
Yesterday was Sunday, the 7th of December 2003. I am, however, referring to the events which took place on another Sunday, the 7th of December. To be exact; Sunday December 7, 1941.
Most people recognize that date as Pearl Harbor Day. Indeed, Franklin D. Roosevelt himself claimed that this date would “live in infamy”, but it doesn’t seem to be very infamous anymore. There was no mention made of it here or on many other sites where discussion rooms exist.
There are today less than 9,000 survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack remaining, and most of them are in their 80’s. There is at least one member of this site which is one of those 9,000 remaining survivors, although for reasons of his own he never mentions it.
Not very many individuals seemed to pay much attention to this sad anniversary this year and I expect fewer still thought about those kids who died that morning 62 years ago. It was a long time ago but still, don’t we owe it to them to at least remember what it was that pushed America into the greatest conflict in human history? And to make note of what happened, what they endured, and of those who didn’t survive the first brutal attack of an undeclared war?
I realize that many members here do make note of December 7th and its relation to Pearl Harbor for whatever their reasons, but like myself they are a distinct minority.
There are some of you at this site who know my identity and therefore know why Pearl Harbor, like D-day, holds such a special meaning for me. But to you I will say that this goes beyond my cousin, entombed aboard the USS Arizona. It is more the solemnity of the date and what it represents.
It is now Monday December 8th. There is a significant historical event from 1941 to be remembered on this date as well. I won’t wait in hopes of someone else bringing it up.
...............................................
United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s speech to the Congress of the United States, December 8, 1941:
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State of form reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
Afterthought: As I read this historic transcript I hear within it what amounts to the same message which we are bombarded with constantly from Washington today. In 1941 it was a war against the Empire of Japan. Today it is “The War Against Terrorism!” and “The War against Drugs!” along with “The War Against Crime!”, and any other war which seems politically popular at the moment…any war where propaganda and money spent on preventative theories can fly, but not need any decisive action. There is a difference between all these wars though. On December 8th, 1941, they meant it. *********************************************************************************** 12-08-03, 02:55 AM puppyblues Tractor, you are so right. I've probably made more meanlingless posts in here then anyone...and I didn't mention it at all. I thought about it, my daughter and I discussed it...but I made no mention about it.
Thank you for doing so.
12-08-03, 03:33 AM samantha Yes thanks for bringing this up I will admit I forgot about this. Frown
12-08-03, 05:50 AM shelster Yup,
I am ashamed, and my apologies.
I imagine this is how I would feel if someone forgot about 9/11.
I think sometimes I use my age/generation as an excuse for not honoring these things, and I really appreciate you Tractor, for keeping Dec 7 in our minds.
Thank you.
12-08-03, 06:05 AM Sherasi You are correct, and I am ashamed I didn't post here. I was watching the History Channel's programming most of the day and I thought about it and discussed it with Sagus, but it didn't occur to me to post here about it.
12-08-03, 09:31 AM Koz Quote by Tractor: “There are some of you at this site who know my identity and therefore know why Pearl Harbor, like D-day, holds such a special meaning for me. But to you I will say that this goes beyond my cousin, entombed aboard the USS Arizona. It is more the solemnity of the date and what it represents.”
I do not know your identity Tractor, but I think I know why these dates are important to you. These dates (Along with several other ones) are very important to me too. I was not yet born when these events happened. I try to learn as much as I can about them. Sad thing is most Americans I know think that only Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941. They seem to forget about those who died on Guam, Midway, Hong Kong, or the Philippines that day.
I made it a point to watch a show on The History Channel Sunday morning, at 12:01AM. “Tora, Tora, Tora, The True Story of Pearl Harbor”. I have seen this program before, but I watched it again, to remind myself of the sacrifices made that day.
I go to a supermarket almost every morning. I see the same four men there everyday. They are World War II Veterans. There used to be six, but two have died this past year Frown. I stop and talk to these men every time I see them. Seldom is World War II ever brought up, we mostly talk about the weather, sports, current events, politics, and the like. Some people I know think that it is odd for me to have friends so much older than myself. My wife thinks it is I trying to reach out to my grandfathers. (Both of my grandfathers died in World War II) I just think these men are wonderful human beings. They have my complete respect.
I am responsible for raising and lowering the flag in a little park across the street from our VFW Hall. The weather was terrible here yesterday morning. The snow was just winding down. My area received well over a foot of snow. I got up extra early to make sure I would be able to make it on time. (Sunrise was 7:02AM) I shoveled my walkway and driveway, but was unable to drive anywhere. I live on a dead end street, and the town’s plows had yet to get to my area. I bundled up and my dog and me walked the mile or so to the VFW Hall. It was not too bad of a walk, at the end of my road the other roads were plowed somewhat. Upon reaching the VFW Hall I noticed the lights were on. I was positive I turned it off when I left and locked up the previous evening. I shoveled my way into the door and saw my four friends sitting, drinking coffee and talking. I asked them what time they got there. They said they arrived a little after midnight. They wanted to watch some of the television programming together (Pearl Harbor Day memorials, the hall has many on tape) since the weather curtailed their plans to attend other services. They also said they did not want to miss the flag rising that day.
I wanted to pay a special honor to my friends yesterday. I chose to fly the flag as it was in 1941. (48 stars) We went across the street and these four men saluted the flag as it went up the pole. After I tied off the rope and saluted the flag, I turned and saluted them. I noticed each of them had tears in their eyes. They were very appreciative of my choice. We then went back into the hall and talked for a couple of hours. I then walked back home and shoveled the mountain of snow the plow placed at the foot of my driveway. I drove back to the hall and drove my four friends home.
Although I did not post here about it, I did indeed remember, honor and thank them all. If I ever make it to the USS Arizona Memorial, I will say a special thank you to your cousin Tractor, it is the least I could do.
12-08-03, 09:55 AM dogspit Yesterday a ceremony was held here in Phoenix at our Pearl Harbor Memorial, the anchor of the U.S.S. Arizona. For years it sat rusty in the back lot of a nearby naval recruitment station near my high school. I had walked by it so many times before I realized what it was. Each year I do pause for a moment to reflect on the loss of lives that happened on that day.
12-08-03, 10:05 AM twinhearts I admit it would have slipped my mind if it weren't for my boys. They came home from school Friday and were asking about it. Their teachers just gave a brief description and told them to ask parents for the details. They are only six so she couldn't get indepth with them. Then we went and attended a Veteran's dinner at our local VFW.
Twinhearts
12-08-03, 03:24 PM stampeding turtles People have their own ways in dealing with tragedy...ways which can be deeply personal and spiritual, and not meant for public demonstration. As I am more that kind of person, my lack of public display or comment does not mean I "feel" any less. I remembered December 8 in my own way. I just was raised more stoically than others, and less extroverted in these matters. That is not a bad thing in and of itself, and I feel no shame, and cannot be intimidated, or made to feel shame.
Give others the freedom to "feel" the way they wish. Otherwise, it is just "emotional correctness" being enforced by a select few.
12-08-03, 06:10 PM Koz Quote by stampeding turtles: “People have their own ways in dealing with tragedy...ways which can be deeply personal and spiritual, and not meant for public demonstration. As I am more that kind of person, my lack of public display or comment does not mean I "feel" any less. I remembered December 8 in my own way. I just was raised more stoically than others, and less extroverted in these matters. That is not a bad thing in and of itself, and I feel no shame, and cannot be intimidated, or made to feel shame.
Give others the freedom to "feel" the way they wish. Otherwise, it is just "emotional correctness" being enforced by a select few.”
I always give others the freedom to feel the way they wish. That is what makes the free world great! I am a very open minded person. I respect other people’s feelings, and hope they respect mine. I never push my views or beliefs; anyone who really knows me knows that.
It is by no means a bad thing that you feel and act the way you do. You should feel no shame ST. I feel no shame for the way I feel or act either.
12-08-03, 06:27 PM Tractor Well Turtleman...
Just for the record, I wasn't trying to shame anyone. There are those here who have said they were ashamed for not mentioning it, but I don't know why. My point was that Pearl Harbor Day (December 7th, not 8th) fell on a Sunday this year, as it did in 1941. Yet in spite of that notable similarity, there was no MENTION of it. I was not questioning a lack of "outpouring of grief" on the part of all forum participants.
The fact is that most here were not around on Dec. 7, 1941. And most also don't know a Pearl Harbor survivor personally. While there were a great many threads of late which mentioned the events and anniversaries, birthdays, etc. which fall upon this time of year - Pearl Harbor wasn't one of them.
I'm not interested in wanting to make someone "be intimidated, or made to feel shame", I was commenting on the lack of discussion regarding this. It is one of the major historical events in America's history and there are still those amongst us who were there that morning.
I do believe, however, that if I hadn't posted this today all of us wouldn't have had to the opportunity to read the personal anecdotes submitted by Koz, Dogspit, Twinhearts and the others.
("Emotional correctness"...new term of the week?)
12-08-03, 06:34 PM shelster Tractor,
Since I am the one who said I was ashamed, I feel like I need to reply.
I am ashamed of myself, and rightly so. You didn't make me feel that way. I just am. That was a terrible day, and too often, my generation forgets the importance of certain days in our history.
I want to be the type of parent who teaches my children about our history in a way that will show the human tragedy, the losses, not the textbook numbers. In order to do that, I have to be made aware of them.
I am very grateful for you pointing out that it was a subject missed.
12-08-03, 08:40 PM honilov The Pearl Harbor story was the first thing that I read in the paper yesterday and it was very interesting and touching. Two featured veterans were also telling their stories about that day. Even tho I didn't make a post, I didn't forget, and I won't forget.
12-08-03, 09:14 PM K.K. My first words to myself yesterday were a solemnly whispered but actually spoken, "December 7th, a day that will live in infamy."
I also have similar thoughts on November 11th, and November 23nd, as well as April 4th and June 5th. I saw the shooting of Bobby Kennedy live on television. I was seven and understood what happened because I remembered that fateful recent November 23rd as the day "all the grown ups were crying about the President being killed." And they were too.
These were and still are all bloody tearful milestones that mark my own life, even though some precede my own time here, and I shall never forget any of them.
[This message was edited by KingKrimson on 12-08-03 at 09:34 PM.]
01-26-04, 09:30 AM KaelSaxen Thank you! I've been looking for the words to the speech...
(I have a particular liking for collecting famous speeches).)
Even though I don't know who you are, Tractor, I can remember Sept. 11, 2001. Almost three years later, I still remember that I was just beginning my first period class when a student came running down the hall and told us to go into our classrooms... where I was watching when the second plane crashed and both buildings fell.
February will always be the month when great grandpa died and the shuttle Columbia blew.
I also remember seeing my friend's dead body after cancer took him when he was 18, in November.
Being reminded of death is scary, but being confronted with it is seemingly scarier.
Speaking of shuttles, it's now two more days until the day Challenger blew.
Gd bless ya, Tractor.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
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