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Hit_the_Rhod · 12-07-2020, 08:07 AM

Just took a look at CNN, Fox News, etc. Not a one of them mentioned that this is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor 79 years ago. Sad
Those who don't study history are bound to repeat it . . . .

tanman32225 · 12-07-2020, 08:11 AM

I agree... so sad.

psmiller · 12-07-2020, 08:15 AM

My dad is a 97 yr old WWII veteran, healthy, independent and a "tough old bird" (he says). He was a POW in nazi Germany for 415 days during WWII. I guarantee that HE and his daughters/grandchildren will NEVER FORGET!

Wrapped · 12-07-2020, 09:02 AM

Very sad,there doing this with a lot of our country's anniversaries. The young people may not even be aware of these events in the future,can't let that happen.

W4KMA · 12-07-2020, 11:00 AM

Ditto to all above

scbwr · 12-07-2020, 11:04 AM

I actually sent this message out to some friends and my two sons this morning:

When I was about 3 years old, my father re-enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard. He had already served during World War II and his assignments were on cutters assigned to escort convoys crossing the north Atlantic. His first transfer to Honolulu, Hawaii was in 1957 and traveled from Portsmouth, Va to San Francisco, CA where we boarded a military transport vessel for the voyage to Honolulu. During our first time in the islands, I remember seeing the USS Arizona.

At that time, there was no memorial, even though it had been approved when Eisenhower was president. I remember going with my mother and sister to Pearl Harbor and boarding the small tour boat that took passengers to see the Arizona. As you came alongside, you could see the hull below the water, and I still remember seeing oil slicks on the water that were caused by oil that was still leaking from the hull. Even at the young age of 7 or 8, I understood enough to understand the importance and tragedy of what happened that Sunday morning.

Several years later, I read Day of Infamy by Walter Lord and learned so many more details about what happened at Pearl Harbor. In 1963, our family returned to Hawaii. We traveled in December and celebrated Christmas in our hotel room before finding a house to live in. In December of 1964, my civics class teacher Mr. Guava told us of his memories of Pearl Harbor. He was a young kid and remembered his uncle coming to their house and talking to his parents. He had a small bundle of papers with him that he gave to his parents and told them that he was on his way to Pearl Harbor to help however he could and the papers were brought along "just in case". Mr. Guava also told us that a lot of people don't know that for the residents of the island, it was a very scary time as they didn't know if the island was about to be invaded.

These childhood events always resurface on December 7th of each year. As I've gotten older, I've also become so more aware of and appreciative of "the greatest generation" .

MikenDebbie · 12-07-2020, 03:45 PM

Ditto all of the above also. My Dad was in the Navy in the Pacific in WWII. Father in law fought through Italy, wounded and spent final 45 days of the war in a German POW hospital. They are both gone but I appreciate their service and sacrifice more now.

TandW · 12-07-2020, 03:58 PM

Wifey just pointed out that our VA calendar does not specialize Dec 7.

Old-Biscuit · 12-07-2020, 04:01 PM

Dad was 'in the NAVY' ...... actually civilian under contract for the 'duration'
Welder...burning 10000's of rods building ships in CA Ship Yard

After Dec 7th.......he was burning 10X that amount in rods

Today's Anniversary is OLD news ...... majority of the 'news entertainers' have no knowledge of that event in our history

Have not seen ONE news item about Dec 7th today...not one

inlineskater · 12-07-2020, 04:36 PM

I just saw a short mention of the Anniversary today of the Attack on the 5:00 news. Normally on this date I am in uniform at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis for our annual Memorial. We were told to stand down this year. We normally have a WWII vet speak and then we shoot 3 volleys and I play Taps.

We have 9 Honor services at Fort Snelling National Cemetery which I serve on the Tuesday Squad. We are limited to 10 men on the street for our service. We have a roster of 25 men for our squad. Fort Snelling is the 4th busiest cemetery in the Federal system. There are 237,000 people buried there. We have 9 Medal of Honor Recipients also. We are there to honor our vets no matter the weather.

TXiceman · 12-07-2020, 05:07 PM

My Dad was onboard the USS Henley (destroyer escort) at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. They had anchored in the east harbor late on December 6 after coming in from regular patrols. They left the harbor and were dropping depth charges on the way out as they were picking up sonar readings. Once out side the harbor, they continued to drop depth charges as they were still picking up sonar readings. The ship was torpedoed and sank in late 1943 by a Japanese sub.

His younger brother was killed in a kamikaze attack later in the south pacific. His two older brothers and sister served in the Army in Europe.

We can never forget this history as we will be destined to repeat it again.

Ken

Stuff-Happens · 12-07-2020, 05:16 PM

Yes, a real shame.... Personally the “ new” world sucks and if today’s crop doesn’t understand it I hope that they can speak Chinese....

Busskipper · 12-07-2020, 05:47 PM

My Family will never forget - Dad Graduated from the USNA on that same day to be shipped to the Pacific to the Aircraft Carrier Lexington, it was Sunk while he was aboard.

He only talked about in passing - left a lasting impression on him that he choose to seldom revisit.

"Peace through Strength" - "Speak softly but carry a Big Stick" these Phrases we heard often. As the Captain of a Polaris Nuclear Submarine - he always felt his role was a Peace Keeper, not a War Maker.

Interesting side note - I was in Japan on the date of the 50th anniversary of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima - and was treated with the Utmost Respect by everyone we interacted with - They were exceptional gracious People.

Just my Thoughts, on December 7th

deblas · 12-07-2020, 05:49 PM

When we lived in Southern California, my neighbor for 20 years, Curly Elliot, was a WW2 survivor.

I surely enjoyed his stories of what he had gone through. Made me appreciate what we have here today! It is indeed worth fighting for.

He was a kind and friendly man...we sure miss him!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dai...g-goodbye/amp/