i'm flying the flag today...

[PALADIN85020]

Maybe some will ask why. It's because I remember and honor the 2,423 men and women, most of them our servicemen, who died on December 7 1941 in a sneak attack on our country by the empire of Japan. Pearl Harbor Hawaii still bears the scars and the battleship Arizona lies where it was sunk - still seeping oil into the water there. It was, as President Roosevelt termed it, a day that will live in infamy.

I was just short of my 3rd birthday then. But ever since, the flag at my parents' house and mine has flown on this day.

Never forget the lives lost by those who would not live another day to enjoy our freedoms.

John

 

[Wrangler Rich]

We had a "Pearl Survivor" at our VFW Post who would wear his Navy uniform in our parades and Poppy Day, and any time that he could to remind the folks of that horrific day. He passed a few years ago, but most around town remember. Rest Easy Mr. "O" !

 

[chief38]

I was in a restaurant last evening with my Wife and another couple (our friends). We were discussing Dec. 7th (Pearl Harbor Day) and I bet them no one under the age of 35 would know what Dec. 7th meant. His wife got a bit flustered when I said that since she is a retired P.S. Principle. Anyway, we asked two waitresses, two busboy's and the assistant manager if they knew what happened on that date - sadly, I was right and they had not a clue. Not the sort of bet I enjoyed winning.

Anyway, for the few left who actually served in WWll (as well as all the other Service men and women who served at other times) - thank you for your service to your Country and fellow Citizens. I'd bet no one here will forget!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

My first year in junior high I took Spanish. My teacher was a Pearl Harbor survivor. He's long gone, now, but I'll never forget him.

I stood at the Arizona Memorial right after high school graduation -- another lifelong memory.

It's not sunup, yet, but you can bet my Stars 'n' Stripes will we hoisted as soon as dawn cracks. I'll be back with a photo.

A deep, sincere thanks to all who serve.

 

[Baxter6551]

The new I-95 Bridge in New Haven CT is the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge. The old bridge (Quinnipiac River) built in 1958 was renamed Pearl Harbor in 1995 and then replaced by the new bridge finished in 2016. They did a nice job memorializing the name and date in my opinion. My father was an Army 1st LT in the Pacific in WWII. I'll never forget.

 

[Puller]

If CNN had been around to report on the Pearl Harbor raid . . .

 

[turnerriver]

One of the assistant scoutmasters in my troop wore an eye patch. He came out of the barracks at the beginning of the attack and took over a machine gun after the gunner had been shot. He shot down a plane and lost an eye when another Zero crashed near him. He kept fighting until someone pulled him away and got him to a medic. I didn't know the whole story until years later.
A quiet, unassuming man who stuttered a little, a true American hero.
Respectfully,

 

[16thVACav]

I fly the flag every day.

 

[biku324]

From the American Cemetery, Manila....

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In 11th grade, my lunch time was straddled by American History. On 12/7 1972 I took the caulk board at the front of the room and one of my friends took the rear chalk board. We Both wrote adlib essays about the attack. Mine from the American viewpoint and Arnie's from the Japanese. (Arnie was half Japanese and his maternal grandfather a Imperial 2 Star Admerial KIA)

As lunch period came to an end, the teacher (a Korean War Navy Corpman that saw combat with the Marines) came walking into class. He stopped dead in his tracks and quickly left the room. He rounded up all the Veteran teachers and brought them to read our essays. The came, read, and left in silence! Not one word was ever said to me or Arnie. But it became very obvious, that the next year and a half, Arnie and I were given every break possible. When representatives (Not from the student council) were needed Arnie got the gravy jobs!

At the time I think Arnie and I were the only 2 students that remembered!

I told of Arnie's grandfather, his dad was a WWII & Korea US Army vet wounded 4 times and ended his military service as a Master Sargent!

Arnie joined the USMC on January 21st 1974 (delayed entry) and cleared boot camp in time to be part of the evacuation of the American Embassy in Saigon. He was on the very last chopper out! A short time later his company recovered the crew and the ship SS Miagueze (sp), over 30 casualties! And then put down race riots at Clark AFB.

He lived to tell me about, got married and had a son. My Marine son has communicated with him on the internet. Pretty busy time, since the war was over.

Ivan

 

[old bear]

With Great Pride, I fly my flag every day........

 

[Babysitr]

Yes, my flag flies every day weather permitting...and will till I'm no longer able to put it out!

 

[quikdraw67]

I fly it 24/7, it is lit at night.

It's at half staff today.

 

[chief38]

I too fly the Flag every single day.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I fly a 2.5' x 4' flag daily on a porch post.

It stays out regardless of weather or pesky artillery just like at Fort McHenry.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I fly a 2.5' x 4' flag daily on a porch post.

It stays out regardless of weather or pesky artillery just like at Fort McHenry.

There's a terrific poem turned song originally titled "The Defense of Fort McHenry."

I stand and salute it every time I hear it.

 

[KalamazooKid]

It's a very somber and reflective place to visit. I'm saddened by what happened but also incredibly proud of the men and women who were there that day - and for all who've served our great nation. [emoji3590]

 

[Squarebutt]

Our flag was flying at dawn today. It flies every day, weather permitting. God bless all who served there that day, and everyone who ever wore a uniform of the USA.

 

[Mike 139]

The Flag is flying….My Grandfather came fron Eastern Europe to Ellis Island in 1910…He had 3 Sons, My Dad being the Oldest, who was born in 1917…He went in the US Army and fought at Anzio, and all thru France in the Third Infantry Division, going from a Medic to a Platoon Sgt…The middle Brother enlisted in the Navy and after the War, went into the NYPD, retiring after 38 years..The Youngest brother enlisted in 1945 and was sent to South America…He became a Machinist after the War.