Remembering Pearl Harbor

"December 7th, 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." - 32nd President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt

Growing up in Hawai'i, December 7th always carried a lot of weight with everyone that lived on the islands. Including me. I had many friends in the military growing up, and worked alongside many servicemen and women at the nearby Kaneohe Marine Base Headquarters at the 7 Day Store. So when the "Date of Infamy" rolled around, it was a day in which everyone I knew took some time to recognize the sacrifices of everyone who perished that tragic day in 1941.

Flags were set to half-mast. Memorial services were carried out in full at the Arizona Memorial in Peal Harbor. Sometimes dignitaries would come and show their respects. School class sessions were wholly dedicated to remembrance, and occasionally my teachers would show TORA! TORA! TORA! if they didn't have a proper lesson plan in place. (Great movie by the way and highly recommend it if you haven't seen it before). One year, my Boy Scout troop even got to participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial. That was pretty special.

I share this because I think today would be a great time for all of us to take a minute or two to talk about what this particular date means to them. So by all means, feel free to post in the thread associated with this article* and don't forget to take a moment or two to remember the sacrifices that were made 71 years ago today.

Best,

- Minister_of_Propaganda