69 Years have passed

**slcsteve** · 12-07-2010, 05:41 AM

December 7, 1941

**ouch** · 12-07-2010, 06:37 AM

An unforgettable day that we have, sadly, slowly begun to forget.

**professorchaos** · 12-07-2010, 06:43 AM

Back when I was in school - not all that long ago - we'd start the day with an old black and white movie about it. 20 years later, this thread is the first mention of it I've come across today.

**texquill** · 12-07-2010, 07:30 AM

We took the family to Hawaii last Christmas. Everyone rolled their eyes when I insisted we "waste" most of a day by going to Pearl Harbor to see the USS Arizona.

After the vacation was over, my four grandsons (then ages 9 - 16) decided that the Pearl Harbor trip was one of the most memorable parts of the trip. The magnitude of what happened on December 7, 1941 overwhelmed them!

Let's make sure the youngsters don't forget what happens when a country decides that maintaining a strong defensive force is an extravagance that can't be afforded.

**afmsgtret** · 12-07-2010, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by texquill

Let's make sure the youngsters don't forget what happens when a country decides that maintaining a strong defensive force is an extravagance that can't be afforded.

Unfortunately, we may be headed in that direction again. The last active military airfield in all of the northeastern U.S. recently closed. We now depend more on the Guard and Reserve than a greatly reduced force of active duty military. Wonder what will will happen when they don't want to play anymore?

**Easttexasman** · 12-07-2010, 10:51 AM

Even though I never knew them,I feel a sadness on this day for 2 relatives of mine that perished in the invasion.

Paul

**JLKuehl** · 12-07-2010, 11:02 AM

I really don't know why more emphasis is not put on this important event in the history of the US....It was not only the act of aggression that brought us into WWII, but that one moment in time sparked off a series of events that ultimately shaped our lives for many years to come. Although this is not Veterans day, we should all take a moment to remember those who fought and died for us, especially those who were in Pearl Harbor and on the USS Arizona. Thank you for the wonderful reminder!

**ackvil** · 12-07-2010, 11:55 AM

As Texquill said above, the trip to the Arizona was an incredible experience. On the tour I was on there was absolute silence. And then one lady began to cry and I can tell you many eyes teared up.

Sad to say, the only notice I saw it was in Investors Business Daily. Our local newspaper did not even mention it - nor did the local news stations.

**icedoverfire** · 12-07-2010, 12:20 PM

I did hear about the anniversary of 12/7/1941 on the radio this morning, and I did visit the USS Arizona memorial while on a family vacation to Hawaii. It was a powerful experience.

- ice

**kellicat** · 12-07-2010, 02:02 PM

**moment of silence**

**Beerman** · 12-07-2010, 02:07 PM

I visited Pearl Harbor in late May in 1998, 1999, 2001 on a trip I won with work for each year. I still get goose bumps when I think about the experience. Either the 2nd or 3rd time I went, it was on Memorial Day. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't any sort of a remembrance ceremony that day, but from my observations, it was like any other "regular" day the memorial was open. I later worked with a guy who had been stationed in the navy at Pearl, and he indicated that Dec. 7th, was when they went whole hog with the extra ceremonies.

I was surprised at the number of Oriental people (I'm assuming Japanese) that were there. I would say that each time I visited, Orientals made up at least 1/3 of the visitors. Every single one of them, seemed just as solemn as the Caucasians I saw visiting.

I'm would be curious to find out how many survivors there are of the USS Arizona still alive. I would think that would have to be a very small number at this point. One of the years I was there, they had just had a burial a few days before on the site of the ship. Apparently, a number of survivors of the attack that were assigned to the Arizona have chosen to be cremated and have their remains carried down via diver and placed on the sunken ship.

Beerman

**_JP_** · 12-07-2010, 02:12 PM

Happily enough I was surprised a couple of hours ago that someone remembered Pearl Harbor. I was signing a form and asked "Is today the sixth?" She replied "Pearl Harbor day." Now I knew what the date was.

Many years ago I was part of a team opening a new restaurant for a chain operation. The opening date happened to be Pearl Harbor day. For many reasons associated with that opening I'll always remember that day.

"Remember the Alamo!"

"Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!"

**slcsteve** · 12-07-2010, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Beerman

I visited Pearl Harbor in late May in 1998, 1999, 2001 on a trip I won with work for each year. I still get goose bumps when I think about the experience. Either the 2nd or 3rd time I went, it was on Memorial Day. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't any sort of a remembrance ceremony that day, but from my observations, it was like any other "regular" day the memorial was open. I later worked with a guy who had been stationed in the navy at Pearl, and he indicated that Dec. 7th, was when they went whole hog with the extra ceremonies.

I was surprised at the number of Oriental people (I'm assuming Japanese) that were there. I would say that each time I visited, Orientals made up at least 1/3 of the visitors. Every single one of them, seemed just as solemn as the Caucasians I saw visiting.

I'm would be curious to find out how many survivors there are of the USS Arizona still alive. I would think that would have to be a very small number at this point. One of the years I was there, they had just had a burial a few days before on the site of the ship. Apparently, a number of survivors of the attack that were assigned to the Arizona have chosen to be cremated and have their remains carried down via diver and placed on the sunken ship.

Beerman

Currently 20 survivors, 19 Navy and 1 Marine.

http://www.ussarizona.org/survivors/...rs_living.html

**auk1124** · 12-07-2010, 03:33 PM

A quick internet search found the following list of ships that were lost in the attack:

Battleship U.S.S. Arizona, BB-39
Battleship U.S.S. Oklahoma, BB-37
Battleship U.S.S. California, BB-44
Battleship U.S.S. West Virginia, BB-48
Minelayer U.S.S. Oglalla, CM-4
Auxiliary U.S.S. Utah, AG-16

Of course in addition to those that were lost I'm sure there were many more ships damaged in the attack.

May the brave sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, and citizens who lost their lives that horrible day rest in peace, and always be remembered.

**elkaholic** · 12-08-2010, 06:48 PM

My wife and I always remember Pearl Harbor Day, as it is also our anniversary.

On a similar tangent, in 2008, before we left England, my parents came over and the whole family took a vacation to Germany. My mom took the girls to the Munich Zoo while my dad, SWMBO and I took the boys to Dachau. That was a very humbling, ..... man, I can't put it into words even now. The quietest "museum" I have ever been to.