It's an old Silvertone console radio, made for Sears Roebuck. By its serial number (I checked), it was made in 1940. My mom and dad had just moved to a little rental house in Tucson, Arizona, and this was one of their first big purchases. The upper right pull-down door concealed the radio, and the pull-out drawer on the left was a 78-RPM record player. The grill on the left had the big speaker behind it, and the one on the right opened up to provide storage for record albums. It was a state-of-the-art entertainment center in its day. It's been in the family ever since. My mom died in 2008 at the age of 95, and I inherited it.
Now let's flash back in history to December, 1941. I was just a tousled-headed kid, going on my third birthday about a month away. My dad took a picture of me then in our little Tucson home, and on the left of that picture you will see that same radio.
On the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, shortly before noon in Tucson, a neighbor of ours, a Mrs. Petticord, ran to our house and knocked on the door very loudly. Dad opened the door, and she burst out loudly, "The Japs have bombed Pearl Harbor! Turn on your radio!"
Incredulous, dad turned on that big radio, and we began to hear the news trickling in. Mom didn't even know where Pearl Harbor was. Dad did, and explained it to her and to me. It was our big naval base in Hawaii.
Most shocking to us was that our State's namesake, the U.S.S. Arizona, had exploded and sunk.
As we listened, we heard that the Japanese were even strafing civilian vehicles.
More and more reports kept coming in, fragmentary and confused, but confirming that Pearl Harbor was in flames. We heard that we managed to shoot down some of the invading Japanese planes.
We were glued to the radio. More and more reports of the carnage and destruction were on nearly every radio station.
Reports continued to come in on that old radio in the evening. There were reports of the Japanese attacking other locations in the Pacific, and even a few speculating that they could invade Hawaii with ground troops, and even our West coast. We heard that President Roosevelt was going to address a joint session of Congress the next day.
On December 8, the next day, Roosevelt stepped up to the podium in the House of Representatives chamber, and made an address. We heard all of it on the radio. His voice was strong and emphatic. I have a copy of it on an old record; many of these were sold after the speech. Here is what he said:
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, 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.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
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.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Well, the rest of the story is that we and our allies beat the socks off the Japanese (and the Germans, too) after several years of grueling combat. Millions of lives, theirs, ours, and others were lost. Today, Pearl Harbor is peaceful. A memorial spanning the sunken U.S. Arizona which still lies on the bottom of Pearl Harbor was built.
Looking down at the sunken hull from the span over the Arizona, you can still see remnants of the ship - this is a rear gun turret.
Hundreds of sailors and marines were entombed in the sunken ship, and many of their surviving shipmates who have since died are being cremated and buried with them by request. Amazingly, after 72 years, oil still seeps from the rusting hull.
There is a wall in the memorial that lists those killed in the attack. It is impressive, and for viewers, silence is mandatory. It is a hallowed spot.
When I last saw Pearl Harbor, a beautiful rainbow arched over the Alpha and Omega of World War II for the United States. The U.S.S. Missouri is berthed to the left. It's where the Japanese signed the unconditional surrender documents in 1945. To its right is the Arizona Memorial.
Yeah, it's just an old radio. But it was our path to understanding World War II and the sacrifices of our people during that period. I think I'll hang on to it for as long as I'm able to.
Tomorrow will be the 72nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack that plunged our Nation into war. Many will take no notice. I'm going to fly the flag. I remember.
John
Now let's flash back in history to December, 1941. I was just a tousled-headed kid, going on my third birthday about a month away. My dad took a picture of me then in our little Tucson home, and on the left of that picture you will see that same radio.
On the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, shortly before noon in Tucson, a neighbor of ours, a Mrs. Petticord, ran to our house and knocked on the door very loudly. Dad opened the door, and she burst out loudly, "The Japs have bombed Pearl Harbor! Turn on your radio!"
Incredulous, dad turned on that big radio, and we began to hear the news trickling in. Mom didn't even know where Pearl Harbor was. Dad did, and explained it to her and to me. It was our big naval base in Hawaii.
Most shocking to us was that our State's namesake, the U.S.S. Arizona, had exploded and sunk.
As we listened, we heard that the Japanese were even strafing civilian vehicles.
More and more reports kept coming in, fragmentary and confused, but confirming that Pearl Harbor was in flames. We heard that we managed to shoot down some of the invading Japanese planes.
We were glued to the radio. More and more reports of the carnage and destruction were on nearly every radio station.
Reports continued to come in on that old radio in the evening. There were reports of the Japanese attacking other locations in the Pacific, and even a few speculating that they could invade Hawaii with ground troops, and even our West coast. We heard that President Roosevelt was going to address a joint session of Congress the next day.
On December 8, the next day, Roosevelt stepped up to the podium in the House of Representatives chamber, and made an address. We heard all of it on the radio. His voice was strong and emphatic. I have a copy of it on an old record; many of these were sold after the speech. Here is what he said:
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, 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.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
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.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Well, the rest of the story is that we and our allies beat the socks off the Japanese (and the Germans, too) after several years of grueling combat. Millions of lives, theirs, ours, and others were lost. Today, Pearl Harbor is peaceful. A memorial spanning the sunken U.S. Arizona which still lies on the bottom of Pearl Harbor was built.
Looking down at the sunken hull from the span over the Arizona, you can still see remnants of the ship - this is a rear gun turret.
Hundreds of sailors and marines were entombed in the sunken ship, and many of their surviving shipmates who have since died are being cremated and buried with them by request. Amazingly, after 72 years, oil still seeps from the rusting hull.
There is a wall in the memorial that lists those killed in the attack. It is impressive, and for viewers, silence is mandatory. It is a hallowed spot.
When I last saw Pearl Harbor, a beautiful rainbow arched over the Alpha and Omega of World War II for the United States. The U.S.S. Missouri is berthed to the left. It's where the Japanese signed the unconditional surrender documents in 1945. To its right is the Arizona Memorial.
Yeah, it's just an old radio. But it was our path to understanding World War II and the sacrifices of our people during that period. I think I'll hang on to it for as long as I'm able to.
Tomorrow will be the 72nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack that plunged our Nation into war. Many will take no notice. I'm going to fly the flag. I remember.
John
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