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December 07, 2009
Remember Pearl Harbor
Today is the 68th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor -- a horrible event which should always be remembered, and which always has been annually commemorated by whatever president has occupied the Oval Office. I haven't read news reports or other blog entries about whether the current occupant plans to do anything or what he plans to do (or what he has failed to do) and quite frankly I don't want to, because I am just not in the mood to be irritated. Besides, what can we expect from a president who bowed deeply to the Emperor of Japan? An apology for our "occupation" of Pearl Harbor? Regardless of the circumstances and the contexts (and I realize that Nixon bowed to Mao), that picture kind of queers the memory, and triggers cynical "what did we expect?" thinking. Plus, you know, actions speak louder. (Well on the bright side, the argument could be made that at least he didn't dither where it comes to bowing...) I don't expect much if anything from this president. It gets tired complaining about him, so enough of that. The important thing is to remember December 7, 1941. It's all the more important because there are so very few remaining survivors: It happened 68 years ago today, but Clarence J.M. Davis can still clearly remember the noise, confusion, frenzied activity and deadliness of the attack that propelled the United States into World War II.President Roosevelt (a man our current president would like to emulate) did not dither. From his "a date which will live in infamy" speech: 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.Victory. After a horrendous and protracted war, this country finally did achieve victory. Today the word seems to be politically incorrect. It's probably politically incorrect even to remember. posted by Eric on 12.07.09 at 09:40 AM
Comments
My Dad was there. His ship was tied up to the Utah, accross Ford Island from Battleship row. He saw the Arizona go up. LYNNDH · December 7, 2009 10:30 AM You meant to write "Today is the 68th anniversary..." Incidentally, today is also the anniversary of my grandfather's return from POW camp in Russia. December 7, 1949. 4 1/2 years after the war, ten years after he left for war. Obviously, he was German and on the wrong side, not that he had any choice. martin · December 7, 2009 11:19 AM Thanks! I corrected the date. Eric Scheie · December 7, 2009 12:06 PM My grandfather was on the tender U.S.S Hawaii,docked next to big Mo.He was 17 at the time and he tells me"We just thought the fly boys were out to have some fun by buzzing us,then we saw the bombs hit and we knew we were at war"His ship died of "fright"which means that the hull was shaken apart due to the explosions on big Mo.BTW he's still around cranky as ever, Bobnormal · December 7, 2009 03:05 PM Bobnormal -- I am fond of cranky old men, tell your grandfather "hello" for me. Though I have no relatives who were at Pearl Harbor, my uncle was a POW at Puerto Princesa, Palawan for 2 1/2 years. He was one of 11 survivors of the Japanese massacre of approx. 150 POWs there on Dec. 14, 1944. I am glad that he did not live long enough to see an American president bow to a Japanese emperor. Donna B. · December 7, 2009 09:29 PM Post a comment
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