December 7, 1941

[KI4LZK]

How many of you know what happened 64 years ago today? I wasn't even thought of at that time, heck neither where my parents, wait my grandpa was only 6 months old at the time! Anyhow, I bet most of you can get the answer right but we shall see.

Hint: The day that will live in infamy as FDR said


- Josh

[K6BTM]

Pearl Harbor

[N8CPA]

Before my time, too--nine years before I entered the world. My dad joined the army as a result of the attack. He never made it overseas, receiving a hardship discharge when his dad had a devastating stroke. He was the sole surviving child of my grandparents and had to tend to their needs.

But mom and dad talked a lot about the war on the domestic front--rationing, victory gardens, scrap drives, etc. The war shaped who they were and guided them in how they shaped us, in too many ways to list.

That may seem a vaguely ancient history to you, though you're probably no younger than my nieces and nephews. But the parents of my generation made sure that the attack and the war remained a recent yesterday for us.

[W9AFB]

I can bet that half of today's students don't have a clue what December 7th means.

[W0LPQ]

AFB: You are being too generous...! Half .... I would put it at less than that..!

It is a shame..... like the other post about Armistice Day. Nurse was an idiot..!

Bill, W0LPQ

[KI4LZK]

Well, I had two Great Grand Fathers that served during the war. One never made it home, and the other had 3 brothers that didn't. I think there are quite a few students that know what December 7th is. I my self, admit to not knowing about Armistice Day, until this year. I had never realized that Veterans Day was associated with the End of The Great War.

To all those that lost someone, I'm deeply remorseful. For all we lost, I am grateful to them and their family for if it weren’t for them our world would be vastly different.

Sadly, I think that in 60 years Sept. 11, 2001 will be greatly forgot like Pearl Harbor. After the events that unfolded that day, everyone said, “We will never forget.” Seams as if we haven’t learned from our passed.

“Those that can’t remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.”
-George Santayana (1863-1952)


Josh KI4LZK

[K5RCD]

I wasn't born yet either, but I remember the words President Roosevelt uttered that morning.

[n2nh]

It was before I was born, but I do remember Pearl Harbor Day every year. Those newsreels were and are very compelling.

[KW4MW]

There is an old gent that I've met that lives in this county. #He was in the Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. #

His family was notified that he had been killed in the attack, they went through the entire grieving process, complete with military honors and an American flag was given to his parents.

Later, they saw a picture in the newspaper of Gi's cleaning up the debris from the attack and were able to identify one of the men as being their son. #

They contacted the Navy and shortly thereafter the Navy did confirm that their son had indeed survived the attack. #

Then they came and took the flag back.

[W4BD]

Well the Politicitly Correct crowd are trying to remove all traces of the War with Japan in order not to OFFEND the Japenese people. #It was a terrible thing that they did but it was the high and mighty not the lower class of Japenese people. #They just like us pay the price for the games the high and mighty get us into and a lot of us pay with BLOOD.

I just hope that another attack like Pearl Harbor doesn't happen now because we don't have the SMOKE STACK INDUSTRY to support a war effort. #I guess if it does happen we will just have to learn to eat fish heads and learn the language.

I was nearly a year old when the attack happened. #I remember seeing Newsreels of the Atomic Bomb damage to Japan in 1945. #I was nearly 6 then.

73's

Bill #W4BPK
Donalsonville, Ga.

[KA4DPO]

It's a shame that there are people who are willing to erase history in order not to offend someone. Such thinking is ignorant since it robs the future by stealing the past.

The Japanese soldiers were doing their jobs just like our guys were. The attack on Pearl Harbor was as much the fault of the US military, intelligence service, and the administration as it was the Japanese. They should have seen it comming.

I hope people never forget to honor the men and women who were killed at Pearl Harbor while serving their country.

[ac4ut]

A few years before me but my father served with the 43rd division in the Phillipines and Luzon and was wounded twice. Purple heart,unit citation,bronze star etc..
He made it back home but my uncle Ted died at Normandy and is still there.
I must go there somtime before I die.
When my dad had a few drinks he would sometimes tell gruesome stories about what happened in the Pacific, as he witnessed. Tough stuff for a teenager,as he was at the time, to deal with.
War is not about who is right ,it is about who is left and what they deal with as in remembering those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

[WB2WIK]

My kids certainly know. They've been to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial, and could probably each pass a 500-question exam on the subject.

Teaching your children is part of parenting.

WB2WIK/6

[W0LPQ]

Steve, congratulations on your efforts. Many of the kids of this day and age ... could flat care less. That includes grandkids. Mine are no exception. I have tried to explain some things to them ... their comment ... where are the video games. I looked at their father and said .. I am done.

Bill, W0LPQ

[WA2ZDY]

My kids (ages 5, 7 and 13) learn about these things as age appropriate over time. I make sure they will know why they're lucky they live here and not somewhere else in the world. My seven year old is actively interested so with him it's easier.

My family has been fortunate in wartime. Of the men who've served overseas during wartime, only one of my mother's uncles did not return from the South Pacific. Her cousin who served several tours in Vietnam is fine to this day.

I can't end though without mentioning my wife's father, who passed on a month before we married in 1996. He was at Normandy and as far as my wife knows he never said a word to anyone about it. The only clue anyone had about his experiences was that he would never travel to Europe after the war. My mother-in-law always wanted to see her ancestors' village in Italy but my wife's father would have none of it. He said he'd seen enough of Europe and would not return. And they never did go.

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Dec. 07 2005,11:11)]It's a shame that there are people who are willing to erase history in order not to offend someone. Such thinking is ignorant since it robs the future by stealing the past.

The Japanese soldiers were doing their jobs just like our guys were. The attack on Pearl Harbor was as much the fault of the US military, intelligence service, and the administration as it was the Japanese. They should have seen it comming.

I hope people never forget to honor the men and women who were killed at Pearl Harbor while serving their country.
I can't sit idly by for that one OM. Incompetence and a lack of alarm on the United States' part does not equal the criminal guilt of the power-mad, fascist leaders of Japan that ordered the sneak attack and murdered thousands of America's sons who did not know they were at war..

[W8CEI]

Remember it, & a few years later enlisted in the Army Airborne Div. I try to remember all the veterans days. and support our troops. Also wear a "POW-MIA You are not forgotten" Cap most of the time. 73 to you & yours

[w7lpn]

I was raised on war movies...the feelings are strong, but I don't always remember the dates, but I remember the actors and how they made me feel like I was there in that fox-hole with them. My Dad's little brother got blown up in Viet-Nam twice. The second time it took years to heal the burns and hide the scares. I prayed for him every night from the age of 8 to 11 when he came home and we went to see him. It scared me 'cause he didn't look human...the burns were so bad. I was scared and angry and those damn VC. Pissed me of when they started protesting here at home. I felt like they were insulting my uncle, and I was only 11. That's how I feel about the military! SSgt. USAF Kunsan Korea 1978

[KC2ESD]

I was born 20 years later but I grew up learning about Pearl Harbor from my Parents and TV. I fact I was named after a Pilot, who my mother knew, that was killed trying to take off during the attack. His name and mine is Rick. I'v noticed during the 1990s there were no specials on TV about Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7th until 2001, when the Movie Pearl Harbor came out. Now every year The History Channel and The Discovery Channel have something on every Dec 7th about Pearl Harbor.
Rick KC2ESD

[al2n]

Good friend of mine died earlier this year. I learned at his funeral that he was a Pearl Harbor survivor. Lots of people were suprised to hear of this as he never spoke of it.

His wife says that going to church is what he credits with saving his life. Guess he was awake and on deck ironing his uniform for church when the attack occured. Torpedo hit his ship and blew him into the water. Guess about 80% of his buddies died that day. He was in Leyte Gulf as well later in the war. After I heard this it is no wonder he never talked about it.

My own father lied about his age to get in the army. We dropped the bomb while he was in training and he ended up as a cook at the hotel headquarters in Tokyo during the occupation. Highlight of his career was cooking for General Mac's plane crew.

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (WB2WIK @ Dec. 07 2005,08:47)]Teaching your children is part of parenting.

WB2WIK/6
I agree 100% Too many parents think it is the public schools job. They let TV, Internet, and video games teach there kids. Wrong! School only teaches kids how to pass tests. Spend time with your kids, teach them and learn with them.

God bless our Veterans!

Merry Christmas

[ka9inv]

Quote[/b] (W9AFB @ Dec. 07 2005,01:11)]I can bet that half of today's students don't have a clue what December 7th means.
This college student is fully aware, thank you very much.

[al2i]

Quote[/b] (al2n @ Dec. 07 2005,23:33)]My own father lied about his age to get in the army. We dropped the bomb while he was in training and he ended up as a cook at the hotel headquarters in Tokyo during the occupation. Highlight of his career was cooking for General Mac's plane crew.
I was fortunate earlier this year to get my father to open up about his WWII experiences. He literally went all over theh Pacific.

[KI4LZK]

CEI: Where you in the 82nd?

[W8CEI]

KI4LZK de W8CEI No I was with the 11th Airborne Div. We were in the Pacific Theater. The 11th is now part of the 101st. We hit the islands then were the first unit to enter Japan after there surender, as a ocupation force. The 82nd & 101st caught holy Hell in europe. I guess thats why I try to remember all of the dates. I just hope that the troops returning from Irag & afgaistain dont get the treetment that the Nam vets did. So before I get carried away, I'll just say Have a very "HAPPY HOLIDAY" & 73 to you & yours