My wife and I were privileged to be able to visit Pearl Harbor in Hawaii this summer, and I took some photos and I had some thoughts I wanted to share with you.
I was not yet three years old on December 7, 1941, so my memories of that time are scattered and filtered through the mist of the passing years. My mother, father and I lived in Tucson, Arizona when the event occurred. My father told the story of what happened there on that Sunday morning.
A neighbor woman, a Mrs. Petticord, came rushing up to our house and pounded on our door. Dad answered, and she exclaimed that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. My father knew where that was, and its importance, as he had been on top of the news via the radio and the newspapers. My mother had no idea where Pearl Harbor was, so dad briefed her and switched on the big console Silvertone radio (which I still have). The airwaves were full of reports, and it was evident that the death toll was going to be high. My folks were glued to the radio for the rest of the day and the evening. I do remember that vividly, and I remember the anger that was in the air over the sneak attack. President Roosevelt gave his war address the next day. Dad got a recording of it - it's on an old 78 RPM record, which I kept.
Here is what Roosevelt said to the joint session of Congress on December 8, 1941:
"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."
And with those words to spur us on, the United States entered World War II. I can tell you we were encouraged by our government to hate the Japanese, and later events such as the Bataan death march fueled those emotions. The country was united as it has never been since, and in 1945 the Japanese bowed to the might of the Allied powers and surrendered on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri which was then anchored in Tokyo Bay.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was almost 70 years ago. Things have changed. Today, Japan is an ally and a trading partner, with our two countries cooperating in many spheres. Still, many of us who lived through the World War II period harbor deep seated resentment and distrust against the Japanese; these things are not forgotten, but must be put aside. The world is a different place.
When my wife and I arrived at Pearl Harbor, this sight greeted us. You can see the U.S.S. Missouri to the left of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial across the harbor next to Ford Island. This is where it began, and that is where it ended.
Many sailors and marines are still entombed in the sunken battleship Arizona. Eerily, oil still seeps from the hulk of the ship, their final resting place. As you gaze at this tangible evidence of the conflict, a reverent hush falls over those viewing it.
This picture was taken inside the Arizona memorial, and lists the dead resulting from the sinking of the ship. It's impressive and sobering. You could hear a pin drop among those viewing the names.
For those of us in my generation, I suppose we will put aside the animosities of World War II, and lay down the sword we once wielded with such power and emotion.
But we will never, ever, forget.
John
I was not yet three years old on December 7, 1941, so my memories of that time are scattered and filtered through the mist of the passing years. My mother, father and I lived in Tucson, Arizona when the event occurred. My father told the story of what happened there on that Sunday morning.
A neighbor woman, a Mrs. Petticord, came rushing up to our house and pounded on our door. Dad answered, and she exclaimed that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. My father knew where that was, and its importance, as he had been on top of the news via the radio and the newspapers. My mother had no idea where Pearl Harbor was, so dad briefed her and switched on the big console Silvertone radio (which I still have). The airwaves were full of reports, and it was evident that the death toll was going to be high. My folks were glued to the radio for the rest of the day and the evening. I do remember that vividly, and I remember the anger that was in the air over the sneak attack. President Roosevelt gave his war address the next day. Dad got a recording of it - it's on an old 78 RPM record, which I kept.
Here is what Roosevelt said to the joint session of Congress on December 8, 1941:
"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."
And with those words to spur us on, the United States entered World War II. I can tell you we were encouraged by our government to hate the Japanese, and later events such as the Bataan death march fueled those emotions. The country was united as it has never been since, and in 1945 the Japanese bowed to the might of the Allied powers and surrendered on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri which was then anchored in Tokyo Bay.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was almost 70 years ago. Things have changed. Today, Japan is an ally and a trading partner, with our two countries cooperating in many spheres. Still, many of us who lived through the World War II period harbor deep seated resentment and distrust against the Japanese; these things are not forgotten, but must be put aside. The world is a different place.
When my wife and I arrived at Pearl Harbor, this sight greeted us. You can see the U.S.S. Missouri to the left of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial across the harbor next to Ford Island. This is where it began, and that is where it ended.
Many sailors and marines are still entombed in the sunken battleship Arizona. Eerily, oil still seeps from the hulk of the ship, their final resting place. As you gaze at this tangible evidence of the conflict, a reverent hush falls over those viewing it.
This picture was taken inside the Arizona memorial, and lists the dead resulting from the sinking of the ship. It's impressive and sobering. You could hear a pin drop among those viewing the names.
For those of us in my generation, I suppose we will put aside the animosities of World War II, and lay down the sword we once wielded with such power and emotion.
But we will never, ever, forget.
John
