Video: A day that still lives in infamy
posted at 2:00 pm on December 7, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Sixty-seven years ago today, the Japanese conducted a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor that changed the nation, and the world, forever. The clip below combines footage from the Japanese Imperial Navy, the US, and some cheesy re-enactments to provide a compelling reminder of the destruction that day:
Before World War II, the US was an isolationist nation struggling through a protracted economic disaster, mostly uninterested in foreign entanglements. After this attack, America began its quick march to becoming a superpower projecting its might around the world. Pearl Harbor provided the impetus for that transformation, with a nation vowing never to be taken by surprise again — and succeeding for almost 60 years in preventing it.
If you have not read William Shirer’sThe Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, I’d recommend it for today’s reading. Shirer recounts the attack from the German perspective, and Hitler’s ambivalence about it. While he admired the Japanese for attacking without warning, he felt that they had acted rashly and too early. He wanted Japan to focus on the British in the Indian Ocean, not the Americans in the Pacific, in order to bring the UK to its knees and subjugated to Nazi Germany. Despite his military treaty with Japan, Hitler initially hesitated to declare war on the US, hoping to keep them sidelined. FDR head-faked Hitler into declaring war first in the end, overcoming initial Congressional resistance to fight a two-front war.
Almost 3,000 died that day in a war they didn’t know they were in. That has its own parallels to 9/11. Let’s remember all Americans who died in cowardly sneak attacks today, especially those who gave their lives 67 years ago as a painful beginning for the modern American nation.
Blowback
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I love how if you go to msn.com they have a link that forwards the conspiracy theory that FDR knew Pearl Harbor and did nothing.
Stay Classy, MSN. Stay classy.
watchmen on December 7, 2008 at 2:08 PM
God Bless our Vets…and those who lost loved ones.
christene on December 7, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Thanks for the post.
Spirit of 1776 on December 7, 2008 at 2:14 PM
I knew it! I knew ya wouldn’t let us down, Ed! Thanks!
Tony737 on December 7, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Pearl Harbor sucked…and Ben Affleck needs acting school
lodge on December 7, 2008 at 2:19 PM
My Father was in WWII. He was in the Navy. Cannot remember the ship he was on. He was a Chief Petty Officer. He was not in Pearl Harbor during the attack. Was the most devastating attack. God Bless all our Vets! The hero’s that died too. If not for the military we wouldn’t have our Country. Now when the One takes office. Will we be safer? Don’t think so. That is when the shi* comes down.
sheebe on December 7, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Oops, thank you Ed for the post.
sheebe on December 7, 2008 at 2:20 PM
As an honorary member of the submariner club I will attend the yearly Christmas dinner today, and we will hold a moment of rememberance for all who died that day, in the service of the greatest country that ever was, and still is.
Entelechy on December 7, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Here’s another photo of Battleship West Virginia taken less than 4 years after the photo of it accompanying the post. It’s just outside Tokyo Bay with Mt Fuji in the background.
forest on December 7, 2008 at 2:30 PM
When my family lived in Hawai’i in the 1960s (20 years after the war had ended) my brother and a friend and I took the boat ride out to the Arizona Memorial one Saturday. The three of us were the only people on the boat other than the Navy guy driving it. When I went back 5 years ago, there was a 4 hour wait for the same trip.
Please visit-and support if you can-the following great organizations dedicated to preserving Pearl’s history.
The new Pearl Harbor Memorial
http://www.pearlharbormemorial.com/
Arizona Memorial Association
http://www.arizonamemorial.org/
Battleship Missouri
http://www.ussmissouri.com/
USS Bowfin
http://www.bowfin.org/
And the new Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island
http://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/
Del Dolemonte on December 7, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I was recently at a airshow where they had about 6 each of Japanese Zeros and T-6′s on display. At the end of the day they did a recreation of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I expected flyovers with aerobatics or something but I was totally caught off guard by what happened next.
The Zeroes and T6′s took off and flew away without fanfare and after awhile I forgot about them. Other events took place and it seemed that the airshow was over. People were turning away and heading back to their cars. Suddenly, out of nowhere it seemed, the Zeroes came in from the west, fast and low with the late afternoon sun at their backs and they strafed the runway with machine gun fire. Their bullets ripped through some barrels out there and the explosion blew my hair back from the concussion. Huge explosions rocked the flight line as detonations and machine gun fire tore up the field. Suddenly the T6′s showed up and engaged the Zeroes. The smoke, gunfire, explosions, concussions and the mad swirling of aircraft engaged in a dogfight directly over us was overwhelming. It was a brief realistic wink in time of what it was like that day at Pearl.
Of course all the effects were only pyrotechnics at the airshow but, my God, it was almost like being there for just a brief couple of seconds when surprise and shock gives way to the realization that it’s just a show. When it was over few clapped. Most had a shocked expression on their face. Many had tears. For a few seconds it was real for all of us and I doubt anyone present will ever look upon the attack on Pearl the same way again.
Words can not convey the Pride, the Sorrow, the Unity and the REAL American True Grit that America showed in those days. The men and women who served us during that conflict are true American Heroes and I salute them on this anniversary.
May God Bless Them
Guardian on December 7, 2008 at 2:42 PM
There was nothing cowardly about the Japanese attack on Pearl. War isn’t a gentleman’s affair in which you slap your foe with a white glove and challenge him to a duel. Once Japan had made the decision for war, it was Yamamoto’s duty to come up with a plan that would maximize the chances of victory. Taking the enemy (us) by surprise was a fair strategy.
Was Japan a fascist aggressor? Yes. Were they evil? Yes. Were they deserving of everything that happened to them afterward? Yes. But were they cowardly? No.
irishspy on December 7, 2008 at 2:56 PM
+7%
Seven Percent Solution on December 7, 2008 at 2:57 PM
The word cowards is way, way overused. Sneak attacks aren’t cowardly, they’re good strategy. The US military uses them too whenever it gets the chance. The word you’re looking for is dishonorable (in the military sense that is). Evil works too since the Japanese weren’t exactly fighting for their freedom or anything. They just wanted stuff.
Darth Executor on December 7, 2008 at 2:58 PM
My uncle was on the Utah on 12/7. He survived, but many did not in the attack. My dad was on the Saratoga during the war in the Pacific. God bless the precious few WW11 vets still with us. I thank each and every one of you for your service. You are jewells to our Republic.
L
letget on December 7, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Dear Pops,
Thanks!
Pops: A company, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Carlson’s Raiders. Makin, Guadalcanal, Bouganville. Served honorably then came home to make bacon.
Dear All other Pops,
Thanks to you too!
Other Pops: Served honorably then came home to make bacon.
Limerick on December 7, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Perhaps this is not politically correct but why is 9-11 considered so historically important while Pearl Harbor drew America into WWII, precipitated a declaration of war from Germany, and thus hastened the defeat of both Japan and Germany, as a result of that one act?
technopeasant on December 7, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Sadly, I see history going for a three-peat under Mein Fuhrer’s regime.
God Save the Republic.
madmonkphotog on December 7, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Moment of silence for the brave young men who died that day
Isolationism is no shield against aggression. That’s one of my main complaints about the Libertarian Party. We must be engaged and vigilant against state and non-state actors who have their own agendas and are not merely reacting to US policy.
My B-in-L’s dad was in WWII, Germany surrendered before he (who’s Jewish) got to Europe, and Japan surrendered before he got to the Pacific. Thanks to the atom bomb he survived the war, got married, had two kids and now my sister has a good husband and two good (and smart) kids.
rbj on December 7, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Has President-Elect Obama apologized for Hiroshima yet? I’m sure it’s coming any time now.
Kensington on December 7, 2008 at 3:29 PM
God blease our Vets and those who lost their lives 67 years ago.
The left loves to rail against the Iraq war by saying they had no connection to 9/11, well using that idiotic logic we should have gone after Hitler b/c the Japs remember were behind Pearl Harbor.
lavell12 on December 7, 2008 at 3:31 PM
My mom’s cousin died on the Arizona. My dad enlisted after the attack. I’m glad we have those in the present generation who were willing to enlist after 9/11 and are working so hard to protect us. Thank you.
Rose on December 7, 2008 at 3:43 PM
I hope you mature enough one day to realize that some words really are hurtful, & that the Japanese are a tremendous ally of ours today (despite the callous foolishness of some Americans like you).
jgapinoy on December 7, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Wrong. Doesn’t anyone realize this attack was provoked? We MADE Japan attack us, just so we could get into the war and force our Imperialism on the rest of the world.
/sarcasm
NotTheMomma on December 7, 2008 at 3:47 PM
God rest their souls.
I visited the Memorial when we lived in Hawaii — I was only six or seven, but I’ll never forget it. All those names . . .
Gina on December 7, 2008 at 3:51 PM
What does it say about SOME Americans when they call others “foolish” for an opinion? Some people prefer not to be so P.C when it comes to the discussion of 3,000 Americans killed by a bunch of cowards.
Hurt feelings go out the door when it comes to DEAD AMERICANS!
And that’s MY opinion.
christene on December 7, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Also a Sunday.
Thanks Ed. God Bless America.
I’m going to pop in the DVD “Air Force” after the Steeler game. It’s one of my favorite WWII movies, filmed during the war. A flight of B-17s take off from San Fran on the way to Hickam on that fateful day.
Zorro on December 7, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Everybody who goes to Hawaii should spend several hours at Pearl Harbor and the memorial.
God Bless out Veterans, past and present.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/229759517_QYfQE-O.jpg
rockbend on December 7, 2008 at 4:08 PM
The Japanese had a Master Race doctrine of their own going as their monstrous treatment of the Chinese demonstrated in the 1930′s.
They wanted to lead their backward yellow brothers in Asia in a glorious Co-Prosperity alliance, even if they had to slaughter millions of them to convince them.
Americans (and the Brits and Dutch and French) were the crude barbarians, they the noble, fatalistic cherry blossoms.
It took two nukes to get them to shed the mania.
The 9/11 attacks came from the same Master Group theory. In that case, the glorious Islamic world view that Mohammedans must subjugate the globe and crush all infidel opposition.
I predict more than two nukes before their totalitarian dream is retired.
With our side taking the first of them.
Which seems to be required after the sleepwalking response to understanding imperialistic Islam after 9/11.
We dozed into Pearl Harbor. We dozed into 9/11. We now shuffle somnambulistically toward our next sneak attack.
It does no honor to those who died to blindly meander into that meatgrinder, but the West seems determined to get bloodied horribly before it rouses.
And our vets will have to pull the public’s and politicians chestnuts out of yet another fire.
profitsbeard on December 7, 2008 at 4:12 PM
profitsbeard, we don’t learn, though history tries to teach us. Well said, as usual.
Entelechy on December 7, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Here Here!
KSgop on December 7, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Never saw it. I mean, whats the point after you’ve seen “Tora! Tora! Tora!“? Yeah, its black and white, but it is as historically accurate as they could make it.
Count to 10 on December 7, 2008 at 4:52 PM
.
I haven’t looked at MSN’s site. Why would I? Years ago I do recall reading or hearing that some in the US Gov may have been aware of an impending attack by the Japanese. This article from a few days ago, if true, outlines events and a lack of communication that led up to the attack on Pearl?
martywd on December 7, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Tora! Tora! Tora! was in color.
Oldnuke on December 7, 2008 at 5:28 PM
On this day as on many others, I fly the flag in memory of my father.
Pvt. Robert D. De Witt, KIA 11/27/44
Thanks, Dad
warbaby on December 7, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Two of my mothers uncles died on the U.S.S. Oklahoma.
Later, two of her brothers participated in the Bataan Death March and remained POW’s. One remained in the Phillipines the entire war and the other was taken to Japan.
The uncle in Japan contacted Polio and was almost killed by the Japanese because he wouldn’t be able to work but his fellow POW’s helped him to walk with crutches which allowed him to live. When the Atom bombs where dropped he was forced to go into Hiroshima. In the rubble he found a camera and film and took pictures of the devestation. When Japan surrendered the Army took his negatives and classified them Secret. My uncle had a set of prints he had made and kept them for himself. When I was in my early teens he showed me the photo’s and I was stunned at the pictures of the survivors. In the late 90′s the pictures were declassified and made public.
By the way, my younger brother was born on the 10th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
Helloyawl on December 7, 2008 at 6:06 PM
God Bless you and your father for his ultimate sacrifice.
Guardian on December 7, 2008 at 6:09 PM
Wow.
Bob's Kid on December 7, 2008 at 6:11 PM
“technopeasant on December 7, 2008 at 3:11 PM”
9/11 was the first direct attack by a foreign entity on a u.s. state in almost 200 years. It marked the point where we FINALLY began to respond to the overt jihadi aggression that had been going on since at least 1979 …
annnd, we can all remember where we were and what we did that day. 12/7 — not so much — one of the local radio hosts specifically tries to take calls on that day from those living on the island during that time — he gets fewer calls every year — and they are now almost exclusively from seniors who were then kids living in town and happened to see the planes fly over that day …
Buckaroo on December 7, 2008 at 6:34 PM
God blessed the world with America!
Thank you to all the veterans out there!
Some people will find any justification to use slurs. Unless you fought in WWII the best reason to use that word is to experience that sweet catharsis ethnic epithets provide.
Similar rhetorical contortions justify use of the word “n1gger” by many when referring to black criminals. OJ is a killer; he took American lives. Yet there are still some people who would be offended by one’s use of the “n1gger” to describe him.
The Race Card on December 7, 2008 at 6:41 PM
We have not forgotten. RIP.
ronsfi on December 7, 2008 at 7:02 PM
some years ago on sept 2 an old man who was hauling grain to the elevator for my dad, pointed to a place in the distance and said about there on this date i could see the surrrender of the japanese on the battleship MISSOURI. he was standing on the WEST VIRGINIA. he entered the navy just after pearl harbor. in sept 1944 he was on his way to leyte and recieved word that his brother had died at omaha beach. i told him of my interest in the pacific war the philippines in particular. his combat station was on deck during the battle of surigao strait. it was the greatest momemt in his life. he is dead now but some day i hope to visit my leyte internet gf and visit surigao strait
kippyc on December 7, 2008 at 7:09 PM
I seem to recall reading that the Japanese had sent a letter that essentially was to act as a declaration of war, and that the bureaucrats at their embassy couldn’t type it fast enough for prompt delivery. It was suppose to arrive first, before the attack. In fact, Yamamoto specifically wanted a formal war declaration, to avoid the anticipated “retribution” of an enraged American public. Many of the Japanese pilots involved in the Pearl Harbor operation expressed outrage and disappointment, as they did not feel that such a sneak attack was honorable. These pilots were given to understand that a formal declaration of war had been given.
Moral of the story: Diplomats and bureaucrats will muck up any and all military operations.
Mutnodjmet on December 7, 2008 at 7:20 PM
For what it’s worth, they likely all were T-6′s modified to resemble Japanese aircraft for the filming of “Torah, Torah, Torah,” and operated now by the Confederate Air Force (or whatever PC-forced name they go by now), though it’s conceivable there might have been a real A6M in there.
So far as I know there are five airworthy A6M’s fighters still in existence, and only two are flown with any regularity. There have been some efforts in recent years to build modern replicas, or to put together new “originals” from period parts cobbled from various sources, so if the A6M’s you saw really were A6M’s, maybe the replicas are getting out there. There are of course also a number of unfliable original examples in various museums.
Blacklake on December 7, 2008 at 7:22 PM
I think the tardiness had more to do with encryption problems and a certain vagueness to the language of the message, both of which made it unclear to the diplomats what was going on and what exactly they were supposed to tell Washington. It’s a moot point, as whether or not the message had been delivered to Washington an hour before the attack or an hour after, the results would have been likely the same.
Blacklake on December 7, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Nope. These were actual T-6′s. The T meaning trainer. They were nicknamed “Pilot Makers” in WWll. Using the T-6s were historically inaccurate for the reenactment. Although there were 2 T-6′s at Wheeler Airbase that day neither were used in combat.
Guardian on December 7, 2008 at 7:33 PM
My Navy son did a tour of Pearl today. Several survivors spoke to his group. He said the movies and documentaries don’t come near to the graphic detail this particular survivor shared. He said that as they pulled guys from the water, the oil was so hot it continue to burn their bodies. He also said that after 67 years he cannot get the smell of burning flesh out of his mind.
Just think, some folks think they are super patriots because they did a little community organizing and happen to have been born with black skin. I spit on them and their militant whitey hating wives.
csdeven on December 7, 2008 at 7:40 PM
It would be a nice gesture on Japan’s part to admit they participated in WW2.
BL@KBIRD on December 7, 2008 at 7:43 PM
it was a bad day, for us and a bad century for the tyrants because of our reaction.
rob verdi on December 7, 2008 at 8:12 PM
My fathers good friend General Hiester, also a West Point grad was stationed at Schofield barracks as a captain during the attack. I vividly remember him describing how he was trying to organize his troops when a lone zero made a strafing run down through the central area and he had to duck behind a monument not to get hit. He would come out and give directions just long enough before having to duck back for cover as the zero wheeled and came in for several other passes through the area. both he and my father(korea, viet nam) have since gone to their final posting these last few years but I will carry the memory till I go myself
merryprankster23 on December 7, 2008 at 8:13 PM
My grandfather was stationed in Hawaii but was in New York when the Japanese struck. Lucky for me because he had not yet met my grandmother. Many of his friends, though, died at Pearl Harbor.
Mrs. Happy Housewife on December 7, 2008 at 8:14 PM
God bless America’s greatest generation and they way they stared adversity in the eye without blinking or shirking away.
Hog Wild on December 7, 2008 at 8:15 PM
okayy….
…. how’se this for cowardly.?
During the Bataan deathmarch they were taking American prisioners of war, kneeling them down and chopping off their heads to practice their swing with the samari….
… The Japanese were deliberately shipping explosives on POW ships so prisioners of war would die when ships of war were sunk, in essense hiding behind prisioners.
As for Nanking…
itsspideyman on December 7, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Not that this matters all that much, but today at the Tennessee Titans game we got to witness a special moment.
After the first quarter the Titans were down 6-0 (against Cleveland no less) and there was a TV break between quarters.
In memory of this day, The Titans brought out the oldest living Tennesseean veteran who was at Pearl Harbor (the name escapes me). He got a standing ovation of course, and the place went bananas.
The next series of downs, the Titans went for it on 4th and 1, and the Titans called a play-action pass to the fullback, Ahmad Hall, who happens to be a Marine who served in Afghanistan.
Naturally, he scored a Touchdown and the Titans never looked back.
Thanks to those who served on this fateful day, your service will always be remembered.
Tman on December 7, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Tora Tora Tora! at Wings Over Houston Air Show.
Guardian on December 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
We are still at war.
This time the enemy has no uniform.
This time the enemy is not a country, but a religion.
This time, there are those who refuse to acknowledge the enemy.
This time our enemy commits atrocities against its own people, especially to its women.
I will never forget and will always be thankful for what we won and the sacrifices of our Hero’s of the Greatest Generation ever. I fear this generation doesn’t seem to grasp the seriousness and danger of our enemy today.
Kini on December 7, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Guardian on December 7, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Thanks for that post. I wish that all of the knuckleheads in this country could experience that type of awakening and realize that freedom isn’t free, and vigilance is essential.
Semper Fi
winemkr on December 7, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Kini on December 7, 2008 at 8:50 PM
You are correct sir.
winemkr on December 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM
If you insist on holding onto your hatred, you ought to harbor it for the few survivors who actually participated in the sneak attack, not for a nation that is our ally.
jgapinoy on December 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Tora Tora Tora! at Wings Over Houston Air Show.
Guardian on December 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
WOW!!!!!!!!!
Great Video, thanks GUARDIAN!!!!!
OOHRAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
winemkr on December 7, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Let’s remember the similarities but let’s also understand that Pearl Harbor more or less united the nation (to the point of allowing some not so good stuff like the Japanese-American internment camps). The atrocities of 9/11/01 didn’t do that. We ARE NOT a nation united against the GWOT. In fact, the left including Obama and his closest associates, largely blame America for the attacks that killed over 3,000 just a few years ago. Since that time Obama and his crowd have worked tirelessly to ensure the terorists have all the rights of those charged with jaywalking. The demand the end to interrogation of enemy combatants. They don’t see radical Islam as a problem inflicting this nation. In short, Pearl Harbor had a clearly defined foreign enemy. In 2008 we are about to install a whole cadre of domestic enemies into office.
highhopes on December 7, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Well put. It makes you wonder who won the cold war. I’m glad I’m 50. Another 4 decades max of dealing with Dhimmicrats.
Mojave Mark on December 7, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Never forget.
coleporter on December 7, 2008 at 9:21 PM
itsspideyman on December 7, 2008 at 8:15 PM
The late Iris Chang’s “Rape of Nanking” was an eye opener. If you have not read William Shirer’s “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich”, I would suggest both. Iris Chang had done many interviews with the survivors of Bataan and the Philippines, intending to write another book. Sadly, she took her own life in November of 2004. Friends speculated that had sunk into depression as a result of the material she had gathered.
oldleprechaun on December 7, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Took my dad to the WWII memorial a couple of years ago. He fought in the Battle of the Atlantic and in most major theaters in the Pacific. He fought on the USS Clemson Hull No. 186, an old WWI destroyer. Had it not been for Truman dropping the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki he’s quite convinced he wouldn’t have made it through the war.
He returned from the war, built a business, had nine kids and stayed married to a much younger (9 years) woman for over 50 years. He goes to Mass every single day and I’ve never once heard him complain about anything. He’s still remarkably vigorous at 87, is indefatigably cheerful and a joy to be around. I’m picking him up tonight from the airport. We played golf every week this summer and every single time I said a silent prayer of thanksgiving.
He has a group of guys he went to grade school and high school with that he still hangs around and despite loosing my mother just a few years ago he remains active and busy. I consider myself so lucky to have been raised by such a man.
Charles Martel on December 7, 2008 at 9:33 PM
You are a blessed man. Your prayers of thanksgiving are well warranted.
Please tell him I said “thank you” for his service for our country.
jgapinoy on December 7, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Well, her friends were wrong. Ms Chang suffered from a serious mental illness. Failure to acknowledge it only discourages others from seeking treatment.
Blake on December 7, 2008 at 10:25 PM
“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.”
If only the libs would
listen tolearn from their hero FDR………(I keep this speech on my MP3 player. Still relevant.)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 7, 2008 at 10:40 PM
December 7th,1941
Pearl Harbour
The Day that will last for Infamy.
To all Americans,US Military Armed Forces,as a Canadian
I remember,and still will remember what the 7th of
December means to America.
And one can only imagine the horrors that day,and especia
lly the U.S.S.Arizona.
May God Bless America:)
canopfor on December 7, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Indeed, Never Forget.
My father’s brother-in-law’s brother (My uncle’s brother – does that make more sense?) was on the USS. Nevada that day. They made steam in an attempt to get underway and clear the harbor, but were struck in the harbor channel and beached to avoid blocking it. Later my own father entered the Marine Corp. at the age of 16 (by modifying his brother’s birth certificate…) and turned 18 on Okinawa. All of his brothers served (a Catholic family with ten kids – go figure). Even his younger brother served in the Army in the Japanese occupation forces. They all rest now at a small cemetery in Sonora Ca. All in a single row, the youngest brother passing last year. All say WWII veteran on the simple granite markers. It’s quite humbling to stand at the end of that row, as well as the many others from that small town.
Pearl Harbor, 9/11 – never forget. Never.
juanito on December 7, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Thanks oldleprechaun I have read William Shirer’s monumental book. I have a dog-eared copy and find myself sometimes looking wondering the madness men do. I will certainly look up the Nanking story, and a sad one about the author.
In times of horror let us remember also the times of great valor and honor. Let us hope the Prince of Peace someday lives in the hearts of all, and may we all look for the day we finally say we will kill no more.
itsspideyman on December 8, 2008 at 12:10 AM
“To have the United States at our side was to me the greatest joy. Now at this very moment I knew the United States was in the war, up to the neck and in to the death. So we had won after all!…Hitler’s fate was sealed. Mussolini’s fate was sealed. As for the Japanese, they would be ground to powder.” — Winston Churchill when he heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Don’t mess with the U.S.!
Wilberforce_chick on December 8, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Amen Wilberforce_chick.
itsspideyman on December 8, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Perhaps this is not politically correct but why is 9-11 considered so historically important while Pearl Harbor drew America into WWII, precipitated a declaration of war from Germany, and thus hastened the defeat of both Japan and Germany, as a result of that one act?
technopeasant on December 7, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Because The United States of America will win the 911 war, too. Despite a political and media Fifth column, Islam shall be defeated.
Caststeel – Bends but doesn’t break.
Caststeel on December 8, 2008 at 12:33 AM
WOW, just WOW!
Neocon Peg on December 8, 2008 at 12:43 AM
My grandfather,Ronald Arthur Lozonne was there on the tender Hawaii. His ship died of fright docked next to the Arizona,
Still alive. God Bless him ,
Bob
Bobnormal on December 8, 2008 at 12:45 AM
Rest in peace.
The men of that generation provide my generation with something to imitate, something to be inspired by
we arent all pot smoking myspace using drug addled spell checking morons
to some of us pearl harbor means something! this drink is to all of them!
rest in peace!
blatantblue on December 8, 2008 at 1:29 AM
WRONG!
Johan Klaus on December 8, 2008 at 1:40 AM
My Great Grandfather was in the theatre with me Great Grandmother at the time, it was his birthday. He was also in the army. He received word of it right there, in the theatre.
Even though I never did have the honor of meeting him I have heard much of his service. God Bless our Veterans, both living and passed.
Kane on December 8, 2008 at 2:14 AM
And now for a completely different point of view…
The comments are hilariously scornful.
Blake on December 8, 2008 at 3:32 AM
“If you have not read William Shirer’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, I’d recommend it for today’s reading.”
Thanks for the chuckle. It indeed a must read. But if it only takes you one day you have not done the book justice. It is long. It is detailed. And it is amazingly eye opening.
I first encountered it as a teenager in the late 50s. It took me a couple weeks to get through the whole thing cover to cover what with other pressing commitments in the way such as homework for a very demanding school. Three weekends later I’d read it. And I do not, even 45+ years later, regret in the least reading it.
And with the current election and Obama’s rhetoric I am having flashbacks to that reading.
{o.o}
herself on December 8, 2008 at 4:17 AM
My grandfather was stationed at Kaneohe Naval Air Station on the day of the attack. This was one of the first if not first targets struck by the Japanese as they came in from the north.
He survived the war and finally retired from the Navy in the mid-60s, returning to Kaneohe where he passed away in 2001 at the age of 84.
DarkCurrent on December 8, 2008 at 5:30 AM
My girlfriend’s dad was aboard the Nevada when the Japs attacked. He was always interviewed by local radio and newspapers on subsequent Pearl Harbor Days and although I’ve never met him (he passed away about 10 years ago) I have heard tapes of him recounting what happened that day. Sadly, my girlfriend is ultra liberal and all she understands is that war is evil, and is a moral relativist and equivocator. Oh well.
In honor and memory of him, as well as my uncle who was killed in action on Saipan 7/1/44 (K Company, 105th Inf., 27th Infantry Div.) and all of those who served, God bless you and God bless America.
J.J. Sefton on December 8, 2008 at 6:40 AM
We went to war within hours of the attack. Those were the days! Our violent response made peace possible. I shudder to think how fast Obama would (or will) simply roll over and take it next time it happens.
Grafted on December 8, 2008 at 7:09 AM
Was the Nevada the ship they ran aground intentionally to prevent it from sinking?
forest on December 8, 2008 at 7:37 AM
Attacking someone you aren’t at war with, is the very definition of cowardly. Had that attack come after a declaration of war, you comments would have had merit.
MarkTheGreat on December 8, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Back on Veteran’s Day weekend TMC ran one of my favorite movies – 30 Seconds Over Tokyo. This movie is about Col. Jimmie Doolittle taking the fight to the enemy homeland, having the titanium spine to bomb the war plants that were in the residential districts of the target cities.
My favorite scene from that movie is when the bombers are all spotted on the flight deck preparing for takeoff, the engines revved beyond max, the nose of the bombers pushing down on the nose-gear, straining and wanting to fly. They were ready, as were the young crews aboard, all volunteers. I shed a tear in admiration for them.
And I dont believe that today the leadership of this country, nor the people who have been deceived by the traitorous media, have the spine that the WWII leadership had to win a dirty and bloody war. America was in a fight for her life and every body knew it. We are in another fight for life today, but nobody including our leadership seems to know or care. We will fight this politically correct war, garner the love of all the nations that hate us, and we will lose in the end.
Doolittle must be spinning in his grave.
abcurtis on December 8, 2008 at 8:53 AM
No but his former paster Wright condemned us for it again this weekend.
abcurtis on December 8, 2008 at 8:56 AM
When I was growing up in the 50′s and 60′s, there were a lot of WWII vets in our community. They were my heroes, and I had lots of questions for them, but none if them wanted to talk about it. Some would kind of just smile and look away, others just wouldnt talk. I found out one man in my community was in the Bataan Death March, spent the war in a Japanese POW camp. But he never talked about it. The only thing he ever said was he was convinced he would never get back here.
My own uncle was killed in the war, on Okinawa I think, my dad was in the army but was never sent over. Dad never talked about his brother’s death and would never answer questions about it. Today at almost 60 years old, I do not know how that brave man died.
abcurtis on December 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Christine – I’m not so sure I’d call the attack on PH as cowardly but it certainly was a knife in the back of the US while the Japanese diplomats were in Washington negotiating peace. After all, Admiral Yamamoto, who planned the attack didnt want to go to war with the US. He said Japan would awaken a sleeping giant and come to regret it.
But, sneak attacks, ambushes, etc are part of military tactics. You’re only PC if you tell the enemy you are coming, like we tried to do in Iraq. And the Japanese soldiers and kamakazi pilots were tenacious fighters, and could be called anything but cowards.
In some respects, I see the 9/11 attacks in a similar light. Were the terrorists cowards because they killed themselves while killing innocent Americans? Misguided and lied to, certainly, but I’m not sure about cowardly. A coward would not risk his life for what he believed in, however right or wrong his cause is. We tend to attach the coward label to those whom we know are supporting an evil cause. Please understand, I’m not defending the despicable terrorists. But as one poster said, I think “coward” is overused today, much like “Nazi.”
I have a question: Could an American Marine or Army sniper be considered cowards? They are trained to kill from a long way off.
During the Kosovo battle, Coleman Carthy, a leftist, anti-America columnist for the Washington Compost, called our pilots cowards because they dropped their bomb loads from 30,000 feet and took off for home. But Coleman is the coward because he hid behind his newspaper. He dare not accuse an American pilot of cowardice to his face.
And who was the liberal who accused McCain of cowardice because he bombed Hanoi from 10,000 feet, then skedaddled back to the carrier? I dont remember his name. I think in many cases cowardice is in the eye of the accuser.
abcurtis on December 8, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Yes, that was the Nevada. It got underway and was making for open water. Japanese Kate torpedo bombers put several fish into her. The captain knew that if she sank, she’d block the harbor for weeks or months so he ran her aground. One thing that my girlfriend’s dad always said was that when they abandoned ship if you jumped on the port side you lived, starboard you died.
J.J. Sefton on December 8, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Visited Pearl Harbor 10 years ago. The memorial is stunning. If you go, and any who can should, seek out and spend some time with the vets that volunteer their time there. They are survivors of the attack. My wife and I saw the movie, took the boat ride to the memorial, wandered around the museum then came upon a vet and spent the next 2 hours talking to him. I completely lost track of time and what started out as my wife and I grew to a group of 15 people standing and listening to him.
He was from Ohio and said that after he retired he had to come back to Pearl Harbor. This is where he wanted to live out his life, with the buddies he lost that day. I know it sounds like a sob story but it’s not. At 80 years old he moved slow but his mind was sharp, his eyes bright, and his voice was strong. There was no sorrow in his stories. What I heard was duty, honor and pride.
Go, talk to them, there are precious few left…..
Bogeyfre on December 8, 2008 at 10:12 AM
No, the definition of coward has nothing to do with taking an enemy by surprise or war declarations. At the very least, to be called cowards they’d have to be afraid and they were far from afraid. Same with Islamists.
Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 11:00 AM
*headslap*
…removing all doubt and all of that…
Me and my Swiss cheese memory.
Count to 10 on December 8, 2008 at 11:34 AM
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