December 7th

[Gramps]

As I sat at the computer this morning, the History channel was playing a documentory about Pearl Harbor. When I looked at the clock, it occured to me that it was exactly 67 years ago that another group of our young men and women stepped forward to defend this country. Those young people and our government stayed the course until the job was done.
9/11 was our next Pearl harbor, and once again, another generation of our young people have stepped forward to do the same. I pray daily for their safety and that once again we show the fortitude to stay the course.
As we remember our young men and women today, let us not forget the young men and women of 67 years ago, and all those who have served faithfully over the years.
Thanks to all of you who served.

[LonnieB]

Very well said Gramps.

[rlwhit]

Some how too many people have forgot. I am at a age that remembers that event and the war that followed.

[Waynem]

I was born in July of '41. I can't for the life of me remember December 7th except for what I have heard and seen, but I can remember when I was 3 and 4 years old, going to the train station to meet my father. First time on furlough and second time he came home for good.

It's the only time you will ever see me in a little boy's sailor outfit.

To all that have server, then, and now, thank you.

[skypilot]

Here Here -- To all our defenders past, present and future!!!

[ken]

Being born in 37, thats one thing that I can remember. My dad was reg Army and was stationed at Ft Riley. Our home town was Herington, 30 miles away and as he herd the news, we were all packed into the car for a trip back to our quarters at Ft Riley. He was in charge of putting troops and equipment during the war, to both the pacific and europe theaters. Little did I know 25 years later I was a flight troop commander (only officer aboard) responsible for 240 troops heading for VietNam on my first trip.

[Parrothead]

Thank you Gramps for posting this reminder. Ken, my Daddy went to Ft. Riley first and came back there when it was over. He went on to North Africa.

In California several years ago they were taking out of the history books info on Pearl Harbor so as not to offend the Japanese. We need to keep reminding our young people about these attacks. We did notice the flags were at half mast yesterday which hopefully those that didn't know would ask the question.
Happy trails...........................

[Wiarton William]

DW and I spent Xmas and New Years in Hawaii in 1991/92...My sister lived there and held a very high civilian position in the DND( USN)..She was able to get me clearances and "escorts" to many locations within the base as well as Hickam Airfeild..I spent several hours there and even though my only memories were of news reels and movies I was overwhelmed..I went to the National Graveyard an awesomely powerful experience(devils punchbowl??)....I could only stay there a few minutes...I felt tremendous overpowering grief the whole time....my father lost two brothers(army) and one sister(Nurse) in WWII in Europe in the early years of the war.....they passed on before I was born.......

[richfaa]

My Uncle Fred ( Mothers oldest brother) got into the Army Air corps in 1939. He was at pearl Harbor December 7th 1941. He drove a B-25 in that theater and survived the war. I Only heard him talk about it twice once when he tried to teach me Morse code (at age 10) and another time when I was driving him somewhere and he noted a Mitsubishi Car on my tail. He flew into a rage..A Mitsubishi, said he,, From the people that brought us World War two. To see a Mitsubishi on his tail again in Pittsburgh, Pa was more than he could bear. He never made any peace with the Japanese... I guess you had to be there!!! He also never set foot in another airplane for the rest of his life. I never heard the story behind that..

[Gramps]

Thanks to all for remembering. I read your replies with tears in my eyes, not just for those who fought and died, but with the realization that if you ask a high school student today about those tragic events, even those more recent like Viet Nam, they have no clue. My dad served in the Pacific with the 2nd Marine Division. I don't know how much longer he'll be with us, as with so many who served, they are leaving us at an alarming rate. To think they'll be forgotten in such a manner leaves me in disbeief. How can we avoid the mistakes of the past if we don't make our children aware of history behind them.

[ols1932]

I remember vividly. I also remember the response by the American people. There was not one protest against our going to war. We all pitched in with our dimes and quarters and purchased savings stamps leading to getting war bonds to provide our government with money to fight the war. I also remember how we went into rationing of different groceries and gasoline and no one really complained. Yes, I remember it well!

Orv