December 7, 1941

A day that will live in infamy

"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve" Yamamoto

Ernie,

My dad was 17 and a Junior in High school when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He immediately went into the Navy. Although he never
attended school his Senior year, he still received his diploma. My dad was an orphan and lost his only brother in WWII as well. We owe all who served our heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Dad passed away last January 13th and even in his final months, he felt a great sense of pride of his service to his country. I miss you Dad.

I went to the Arizona Memorial a few years ago.

Words don't describe the feeling you get when the oil drops flutter to the surface.

I know exactly what you mean, reaper. We were there in '82. Oddly enough, my wife and I and the couple we were traveling with were the only Americans on the memorial at that particular boatload. The balance of the people were Japanese tourists. We, no doubt, have a million pictures of us floating around Japan. My father's cousin, who was my namesake, was there on 12/7/41, and described how he had to swim for shore after his ship was bombed. A particular "thank you" to all of our veterans.

my mom's uncle died at normandy. when i was 12, my folks took us to the memorial at pearl harbor as well. i still remember it.

the oil pools on the surface of the water at the Arizona Memorial got to me, too.
A few years ago, while on vacation in Germany, I went to the American Cemetery & Memorial in Luxembourg on Memorial Day. A handful of surviving, retired GI's from WWII were there, 21 gun salute, air show. We visited Patton's grave & memorial. There are marble 'maps' of Patton's strategy to win back Luxembourg for the people of Luxembourg. We placed long stemmed roses at the graves of fallen soldiers, 'so many who paid the full price for victory' was the speech by local Luxembourg residents. It was an honor to be there that day with them. We have so much to be thankful for.

there's so much contoversary that can come up from this top!! Being a halfer... my fam has been through a lot since those events...

what's a 'halfer' ? half wit ? It's a great topic for today.