Just to make sure it's not forgotten.

All but one of my family made it home. One is still entombed in the Arizona. The rest got to see Europe and the Pacific.

And to think to that point none of them had ever been more than 30 miles from home.

 

Dec 7, 1978 I entered the USAF. "That day will live in infamy". FDR

 

I have visited the Arizona Memorial twice. There was an overwhelming feeling that came over me as I read the names on the wall. Truely humbling.

 

Today is my sons 17th bday, truly a date which will live in infamy.

On a side note, he was born around 11pm, I was beginning to wonder if he was going to be a Pearl Harbor day baby, or born on the date John Lennon was killed.

The Arizona memorial is high on my bucket list of things to see before I take that big dirt nap.

 

Also the date of the worst hotel fire in US historyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winecoff_Hotel_fire

 

When I was stationed at FWC Pearl Harbor, I begged and pleaded my folks to fly over to see the memorial, but my mom would not fly that far, especially over the ocean. My mom died on the 50th anniversary of the attack. That day will live with me forever.

 

My wife and I went to Hawaii on our honeymoon and spent our first 3-days in Honolulu. Our tour of the Arizona Memorial was the most sobering memorial I have ever experienced. I don't know how to explain how deeply I was moved other than to say that tears flowed! Our tour of the Battleship Missouri was also extremely impressive. To actually be able to stand in the exact spot where Japan surrendered was also moving.

 

This day should never be forgotten. If I make additional comments, I will become political and have my post deleted. Just can't help it.

 

That's why I framed it in context of a bunch of southern Virginia boys who had never been anywhere and found themselves thrust into war on a world stage.

The one who rests in the Arizona joined the Navy after graduating high school in 1940. He wanted to get away from hardscrabble life in tobacco fields.

We can only hope another megalomaniac's ambitions don't start another world conflict.

 

We went to Hawaii between my freshman and sophomore year in high school (I think?) and as much of a history buff as I was, I regret taking it for granted. It was definitely surreal being on the memorial, watching the video before getting on the boat to go out to it, all the things. I'd definitely love to go back to be able to better appreciate it.. and maybe pass along not just the enormity of that day, that place.. but the importance of history in general to my daughter.

 

It’s hard to believe that many folks today focus on how our country resolved this war. Yet, none of them were present at the time, nor lost a signal friend/relative fighting. While I have a deep respect for the Japanese tenacity and their unconditional duty to their country, this proved to be their leadership’s undoing. Not once with a warning…, but twice at the cost of their own people. Thanks be to the courageous men who had the ***** to put an end to it. Zero apologies/Zero Fox Given.

 

Also do not forget the Punchbowl National memorial where most of the killed in action were buried.

 

Peace to all those that served. Peace to all the lives lost on that day. Peace to all those lost because your country came at us. Every life lost is a real life. Both sides. Respect life people.

America was built on all people are welcome here. We need to accept this. America was built on everyone welcome. F the hate. Love your fellow American.

Peace to a peaceful world. 👍🙏

 

x 2

 

When we were there, they were setting up for a funeral for a Seal who'd been killed in Iraq I believe. It kinda cut the tour short, but I completely understand why. I didn't know until then that some of the Challenger victims are buried there as well..or at least memorialized. Thats where I learned why its a 21 gun salute.

 

God Bless America

 

The greatest generation ever in the history of our country lived that day and days to follolw. We would all be speakinhg a different language if it wasn't for them. Thasnks to all who served this country during that time.

 

" If you're reading this, thank a teacher. If you're reading it in English, thank a veteran. "