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olde_fashionedI received this in an email, forwarded, from PrestonSpeed Publications, (who amongst other things, put out G.A. Henty novels) and I feel it is fitting and proper to share it here.
My great-grandfather was in the Navy, and my grandmother lived at Pearl Harbor before the war. They had been transferred elsewhere by the fateful day, but if they hadn't, bombs, striking their house, would have assuredly killed her, and an entire branch of my family (including my mother, brother, and self) would not be here today. It's sobering to think of what could have happened...
A Day That Will Live In Infamy
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.
~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt
On 1 September 1923, Japan suffered a devastating earthquake that killed 143,000 people. In a matter of hours the United States sent a convoy of ships with medical supplies and more than ten million dollars in aid. The Emperor sent a famous five word cablegram to the White House:
"America, we will never forget."
Eighteen years later, on December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, killing 2800 Americans.
Japan forgot.
Have you forgotten Pearl Harbor Day?
Here are some Pearl Harbor Day stories that may help you remember the sacrifices of those that have gone before us.
My great-uncle, Kenneth L. Holm, was on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He didn't survive. His name is listed among the Pearl Harbor casualties. I am grateful to my uncle for his great sacrifice.
~ Kim
My parents were newlyweds. They were married 16 August 1941 ... so they had not even been married 4 months. On their way home they heard the terrible news. The next morning my father woke up extra early, dressed, and headed down to the recruiter's office and arrived there at 5:00 A.M. only to find a huge line many blocks long. When others heard what happened at Pearl Harbor, they rolled up their sleeping bags and headed down the same day and began to wait in line. They slept in line overnight in their sleeping bags to have the privilege to defend their country!!!
~ Beverly
My mom's parents married on December 7, 1941. When they came out of the church, the town bells were ringing. At first they thought the bells were being rung in congratulations for their wedding. They soon learned that the bells were being rung for a much more serious reason. My grandfather left his bride to go fight in the war. We shall never forget.
~ Kim
My mom heard the news over the radio while in the hospital recovering from an appendectomy. She remembers feelings of shock mixed with fear. While she continued to recover at home, her family constantly listened to the radio for further reports. Her grandmother was terminally ill upstairs, and because of mother's surgery, she was forbidden to climb stairs. The doctor finally allowed her to go back up the stairs to see her grandmother, who died shortly thereafter. Dealing with her grandmother's illness and the escalating war was a frightening time for her. During this time she made the decision to join the Navy, despite her brother's comments that "nice girls don't join the Navy." She said she proved him wrong! Two years later she enlisted, serving most of the time outside Washington. The last 3 mos. of the war she handled discharge papers in Washington.
Dad was grinding lenses for an optometrist when he heard the news about Pearl Harbor on the radio. A bit less inspired to enlist than my mother, he still realized he would have to join, so he did. He hoped he would be used to make glasses, but the Navy wanted him as a medic. He spent most of his time in the South Pacific, first transporting the wounded from shore to ship and then treating the wounded on shore. He won't discuss much more than that; he feels it wouldn't be right to talk about such personal things. I think it just too painful for him to recall. Recently, while planning my precious Dad's funeral, I discovered a form he had completed years ago to aid us in that planning. On this form, Dad said that one of the most meaningful accomplishments of his life was "whatever care and help [I] could give to sick and wounded during World War II."
My mother told me a story about how some good friends of theirs came over today. They shared their stories. The gentleman was a reporter for the Washington Post attending a Washington Redskins football game when the announcer started calling for all generals, captains, and other officers to report to the gate. Another journalist friend decided he needed to check it out and heard the news from the press box at the stadium. My parent's friend left immediately for his position at the Washington Post.
~ Pat
We hope these stories inspire you to be thankful to the service men and women who were willing to risk all so you could have your freedom today. Show your gratitude today by recognizing those currently serving to defend you and your freedom through prayers, Christmas cards, and gifts from home this Christmas season. There are many in the military that truly miss their loved ones during this most Holy season. Let them know they are not forgotten and truly appreciated.
My great-grandfather was in the Navy, and my grandmother lived at Pearl Harbor before the war. They had been transferred elsewhere by the fateful day, but if they hadn't, bombs, striking their house, would have assuredly killed her, and an entire branch of my family (including my mother, brother, and self) would not be here today. It's sobering to think of what could have happened...
A Day That Will Live In Infamy
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.
~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt
On 1 September 1923, Japan suffered a devastating earthquake that killed 143,000 people. In a matter of hours the United States sent a convoy of ships with medical supplies and more than ten million dollars in aid. The Emperor sent a famous five word cablegram to the White House:
"America, we will never forget."
Eighteen years later, on December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, killing 2800 Americans.
Japan forgot.
Have you forgotten Pearl Harbor Day?
Here are some Pearl Harbor Day stories that may help you remember the sacrifices of those that have gone before us.
My great-uncle, Kenneth L. Holm, was on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He didn't survive. His name is listed among the Pearl Harbor casualties. I am grateful to my uncle for his great sacrifice.
~ Kim
My parents were newlyweds. They were married 16 August 1941 ... so they had not even been married 4 months. On their way home they heard the terrible news. The next morning my father woke up extra early, dressed, and headed down to the recruiter's office and arrived there at 5:00 A.M. only to find a huge line many blocks long. When others heard what happened at Pearl Harbor, they rolled up their sleeping bags and headed down the same day and began to wait in line. They slept in line overnight in their sleeping bags to have the privilege to defend their country!!!
~ Beverly
My mom's parents married on December 7, 1941. When they came out of the church, the town bells were ringing. At first they thought the bells were being rung in congratulations for their wedding. They soon learned that the bells were being rung for a much more serious reason. My grandfather left his bride to go fight in the war. We shall never forget.
~ Kim
My mom heard the news over the radio while in the hospital recovering from an appendectomy. She remembers feelings of shock mixed with fear. While she continued to recover at home, her family constantly listened to the radio for further reports. Her grandmother was terminally ill upstairs, and because of mother's surgery, she was forbidden to climb stairs. The doctor finally allowed her to go back up the stairs to see her grandmother, who died shortly thereafter. Dealing with her grandmother's illness and the escalating war was a frightening time for her. During this time she made the decision to join the Navy, despite her brother's comments that "nice girls don't join the Navy." She said she proved him wrong! Two years later she enlisted, serving most of the time outside Washington. The last 3 mos. of the war she handled discharge papers in Washington.
Dad was grinding lenses for an optometrist when he heard the news about Pearl Harbor on the radio. A bit less inspired to enlist than my mother, he still realized he would have to join, so he did. He hoped he would be used to make glasses, but the Navy wanted him as a medic. He spent most of his time in the South Pacific, first transporting the wounded from shore to ship and then treating the wounded on shore. He won't discuss much more than that; he feels it wouldn't be right to talk about such personal things. I think it just too painful for him to recall. Recently, while planning my precious Dad's funeral, I discovered a form he had completed years ago to aid us in that planning. On this form, Dad said that one of the most meaningful accomplishments of his life was "whatever care and help [I] could give to sick and wounded during World War II."
My mother told me a story about how some good friends of theirs came over today. They shared their stories. The gentleman was a reporter for the Washington Post attending a Washington Redskins football game when the announcer started calling for all generals, captains, and other officers to report to the gate. Another journalist friend decided he needed to check it out and heard the news from the press box at the stadium. My parent's friend left immediately for his position at the Washington Post.
~ Pat
We hope these stories inspire you to be thankful to the service men and women who were willing to risk all so you could have your freedom today. Show your gratitude today by recognizing those currently serving to defend you and your freedom through prayers, Christmas cards, and gifts from home this Christmas season. There are many in the military that truly miss their loved ones during this most Holy season. Let them know they are not forgotten and truly appreciated.
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no subject
Date: 2007-12-07 11:25 pm (UTC)I wish we could always have that strong sense of alliegance that we did so soon after 9/11.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-07 11:29 pm (UTC)On the one hand--people pounce on you if you utter a word of well meant criticism--but then calling being proud of your country the result of "brainwashing".