God Bless these men when on December 7th - the waters in Pearl Harbor ran dark with their blood and the blood of their fellow shipmates - our countrymen. For surely it was with raised hand as they stepped forward and said in strong voice, "I am here...I am ready...take me." It was in those hours as they fought side by side - this Greatest Generation was forged by the might and dedication of their convictions to one and other - to their Mothers and Fathers, sisters and brothers - you and me. Our America.

While it can be argued the importance of this day has faded into the quiet of history - all we need to is look around - read our blog - openly comment in whatever format any thought - to know what this Greatest Generation has provided us with - it is our mandate to carry them forward - that their fight not be in vain toward retaining that which they fought and died for....our Freedom.

Let them now rest their thoughts in the arms of a gentle Pearl Harbor where their fellow shipmates lay. Together, they fought valiantly and with honor. They saved our America. They saved us. Rest easy good and brave men. The battle won. Our honor – our country restored. Yes, it is for us to never forget this day - teach your children - it is your responsibility to tell them what happened on this day. Rest easy.

Thank you for a most wonderful tribute to these brave men who fought for our country. As a daughter of a WWII veteran your words touched my very heart and soul. Lest we never forget what happened this day, and it saddens me deeply to see most calendars not have this day marked on it, as if it has already been forgotten.

The day the Axis Powers of WWII lost the war, or was as good as lost.

My Uncle is a WWII vet and turns 86 today, December 9th. Though he didn't storm any beach heads or fight the enemy hand to hand, his service was important.

I admit I have not read all of the entries, I constantly wonder about all those who were killed or injured who were not service men. May I ask ... what about all the nurses? What about all the civilians? Yes, Pearl Harbor was a horrible tragedy. I just turned 50 yesterday, December 7th. Because of my birth date I have grown to appreciate the importance of this " Day of Imfamy".

We can't forget all the other individuals who gave their lives civilians, contractors, women and others who lost thier lives as a direct result of the attack. History has become clearer and clearer as more research is under way both past and present. I am affected by information learned be it fact or fiction. History tells us that at least one hour (or so) ahead of the attack that a radar station and it's staff "saw" the aircraft heading toward Hawaii yet it took more than an hour for that information to make it up through the chain of command. What idiot officer(s) set up this up where there was no way of communication from the radar site? Could this be considered a "Cluster F***?

Today I was greeted by news of Military personell's remains being dumped at a Virginia landfill. We're not perfect but who in hell was in charge of this decision? "HEADS SHOULD ROLL!!!!"

Ok, stepping down from my Soap Box now.

Merry Christmas to all!

Scuzzybuny:, My Uncle is a WWII vet and turns 86 today, December 9th. Though he didn't storm any beach heads or fight the enemy hand to hand, his service was important.

I did storm a few beaches and did the hand to hand but, don't let anybody kid you, we needed everybody on board for this adventure to end successfully as it did. There was nothing glamorous in the killing and we did what we needed to do at the time. You Uncle, whatever his assignment, is a hero for just being where he was and doing whatever he needed to do. I will not address your seeming concerns about the civilians since in an all out war, as this was, the Axis powers took deliberate aim at the civilian targets in order to get the greatest mileage out of the terror they created. Consider their buzz bombs which were 2000 pound of uncontrolled mayhem deliberately aimed at the city of London, amongst other cities, with their idea of causing as much damage, and death, as possible. Collateral damage, civilian deaths, under those circumstances, could not be avoided but I can tell you that we did our level best to prevent anything happening to identified civilians. It is only now 70 years later that suddenly, we who fought the war, are being described as some sort of monsters with little regard for the atrocities committed by the Axis Powers. Different times and different mores since we are in a struggle, right now, where our enemies are doing exactly the same thing by targeting civilians-women and children if you will and our people are under strict orders not to return fire under those conditions. How many of our young people would you sacrifice, on this altar, before you gave the orders to return fire? The idea is finding a way to win a battle, and a war, with the least casualties--ours. Reg US Army PTO 1942-45

You made me want to reenlist with that one, awesome!! Very moving!

Carluchi... Times change. Live with it. Oh, I would submit to you that things really haven't changed all that much from what they had been. However, what HAS changed is the access and speed of the information exchange, and many more "issues" are pushed on ALL people 24x7.

The "lust for money" is nothing more than people wanting to improve their position in life. I'm sure YOU'RE guily also. Don't you want more and better things than your parents or grandparents?

Dominance? Excuse me, but historically that has happened through the ages. Need I remind you of the Roman Empire?

Same sex marriages? Personally, I believe "marriage" is the purview of the Church as I feel it is a religious rite. Civil Unions should be the purview of the State. The "state" should codify unions through law and for lack of a better term a "contract". Should people want the church to "sanctify" the union, they can do so in a marriage ceremnoy in a religious setting. All of that being said, what concern is it of yours how two adults wish to live? And if they live together, why should they suffer discrimination in legal benefits because YOU don't have the same belief structure? OH, yeah, let me refer you back in history.. Remember those Romans?

I could go on, but your're going down the wrong path. America can and will regain her place in the world. We erred in the past by being the worlds Uncle and cop.. that's going to end. America and Americans will need to be concerned about America first and let other nations with only a few exceptions fail on their own.

Agree totally.

Unfortunately we're doomed; only have about 30-40 years left until the U.S. collapses.

Best to arm yourselves and get ready.

Excellent post, Casual US Taxpayer!

I'm 45 years old. Your right, most young Americans do know about or care about what happened back in 1941. They have no emotional attachment to the period because they were not there. I've been to the Arizonia memorial. I've been to the concentration camp in Dachau Germany. Even knowing thousands of people died at each of these locations, I can understand what took place, I'm not effected by it, even though things changed because of it. Those changes happened before I became aware of them so I precieve it to be normal. Now, 9/11 effects me in so many ways. I have an emotional attachement, and it effects me deeply.I'm the first gulf war generation and forward. And sadly one day 9/11 will fade into the oblivious. No one will care. It will just be another date in history.

The main economic difference between now and 1941 is that back then, the government controlled business interests. Government controlled business because the business elites of the 1920's plunged us into a great depression (sound familiar?) After the war, highways and infrastructure of all kinds were built. We had balanced budgets from the White House to your house. The middle class was born and prospered.

Now, business controlls government again, and here we are. President Eisenhower warned us of this in the 1950's, but we didn't listen!

Back then there was less personal, egotistic and greedy ambitions than there are today. There was an overwhelming sense of patriotism and American pride. I do believe there is a great sense of patriotic pride today, just witness all of the brave women and men serving in the military today. Yet there is a foreboding sense today that any sense of patriotism is being exploited by a greater greed of capitolism.

CD- thank you for your service.

But whether you want to accept it or not, the military has always had homosexuals in it. What you perceive as weakness is actually strength. The "morality" of the United States has never been stronger. Bad people are less and less likely to hurt good people. The media blows things up (not elegantly and for profit), but at the same time it continues to expose institutionalized evil like the Catholic Church and (to a much, much, much lesser degree) Penn State.

The United States is on the right moral path- like with Civil Rights a generation ago, gays rights will soon be just part of the way things are.

(Hey- why did CD's comments get deleted? It is important for everyone to know this mindset exists- don't censor it!)

Just remember all the people that died from this date in 1941 to give us the opportunely to exercise our first amendment rights to post what ever we want on this post. The saddest thing of all who died is that one man will do anything to destroy this country. If he's allowed to destroy this country all the deaths in WWII were for nothing because we allowed it, that's why we cannot allow this day fade into the oblivious, we who are the children of those who were involved in WWII must do everything to stop the destruction of this country by that one man.

GOD bless all that died on 12-7-1941 and all those after

Hey JH. You seem to have a very strong opinion here. Why do you not have the balls to name "that one man"? Is it the anti-Christ? Or is it even worse, that Black dude who is a secret Muslim socialist born in Kenya? Which paranoid conspiracy theory are you the True Believer in, although obviously not brave enough to name names. Hey, just asking.

Different world back then Casual. I mean no offense, so please don't take it as such, however my experience is that it is difficult for me to stand up and defend something that, in this day and age, appears to be taking advantage of me.

Not long ago, the saying was that 95% of the money was owned by 5% of the population; yet, when war arises, it isn't the 5% that are standing on the lines and defending the country. And now, the percentage has changed. It is more like 99% is owned by 1%. I say, send the 1% in first, and I'll be right behind them; yet, the 1% would be at desk jobs, wouldn't they?

I have not joined the military, and I will not fight in a war for this country. Wars are not fought any longer for the purpose of defending your country and family, but rather have some dark political objective regarding riches and power. And the disasters and trauma of war are so great, that I say it is much better just to get up and leave and let the enemy have the country than to go through what war involves. And why not? It's all being rented by the rich man anyways, let HIM stay and fight for it.

I'm sorry to those that have fought in wars in service to this nation, I meant no offense to you all, I just don't believe in that which sent you out to fight is all. I still stand honored for what you have sacrificed.

Too few realize that there's no teacher on the playground to stop the bullies, and we have an obligation to protect ourselves and others. Peace and love are great things, but when they fail in others, we must always be ready to act.

I agree. That happened to meet at "Saving Private Ryan" in the theatre. It moved me to tears listening to the old gents behind me.. Thanks to all Veterans for their service to our country. We can never repay you, only thank you.

Skiddy,

I Agree. I now care for my 88 year old stepfather. He served with the 5th Marines on Guadalcanal and then on to Peleliu and then Iwo Jima. He has only no started to talk about it and when he does, my mind drifts back to the last lines of the Guadalcanal Poem.

And when he gets to heavens's gates
To Saint Peter he will tell
"One more Marine Reporting, Sir.
I've served my time in Hell."

God Bless them all. They are truly our greatest generation.

Also, Thank you for your comment to all veterans. I served with the 3rd Marines in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Provinces of Vietnam.

Chris - can you hear my voice and heart shout to you - God Bless you both - such men - such conviction. Am honored to be your fellow countryman.

Also, Thank you for your comment to all veterans. I served with the 3rd Marines in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Provinces of Vietnam.

Having seen, and participated in my personal version of hell, during those times, I want to thank you and all Vets, for their services to this country in preserving the freedoms we went through that hell to guarantee. For me, seeing what we suffered and sacrificed for being denigrated as it seems to be now makes those sacrifices too high. (for me personally, 2 brothers, part of a lung and an eye. Patriotism seems to be a thing of the past. Reg US Army PTO 1942-45

Chris: I had uncles on Guadalcanal and Iwo but they were in different divisions. Perhaps your stepfather was transferred during the war but the 5th Marines were in the famous Old Breed 1st Division and he would have gone on to New Britain, Peleliu, and Okinawa. I dont think it likely that he would have gotten this mixed up. Anyway, much respect to the old veteran.

the old fooler

He was with the 2/5 at the battle of Henderson Field and was wounded. He made it back to the 5th just ahead of New Britain and on into Peleliu where he was wounded again (more seriously). He was reassigned to the 9th Marines and went ashore at Iwo Jima with the 1/9.

You're welcome guys. I mean every word of it.

a tear in my eye & a lump in my throat, i was moved by the above posts..... makes me proud to be an american.........! god bless all our veterans. you are not forgotten... makes me want to continue to fight for this great country, in these discouraging times. thank you for your service.. and sharing your story.

FLNutmegger--thank your for YOUR service to our country as well as the others who have served in the military--and to everyone who served our country in other ways during times of war.

I assure you, as I assure my uncle who was in the Navy at that time, that we here and my in-laws abroad have not forgotten the sacrifices that all these young people made in the face of a horror that outstrips what the human mind can process.

Perhaps this is in another vein, somewhat, but my European in-laws have quietly told me that they owe their survival in large part to the willingness of the US to enter the war...and then take part in the rebuilding. They were politically progressive folk who were in increasing danger after their homeland was invaded by Germany and they began to understand the magnitude of the institutionalized depravity that had taken hold. The post-Reich era brought new dangers: All areas annexed by the Third Reich were subject to occupation after the Reich's demise, and my in-laws were in an area slated for Russian occupation, which they left hurriedly--a young newly-divorced woman and three small children under the age of 5. They got to an area subsequently under British rule, but I've been told that they envied those in the American sector, because the Americans were helpful and generous. My mother-in-law still tells me about how grateful she was for the food that was shipped from America. She asked me, once, about a black syrup (probably molasses) and a particularly soft cheese with a faintly orange color. I groaned about the cheese and started to apologize for American cuisine in general, but she cut me off, sharply telling me how terribly hungry she was in those days and how it was nourishing food, so very scarce in many places then. But I think she is even more grateful that she lives in a democracy rather than under fascist rule.

PS--i have no idea how this screen name got assigned to me. i have half an idea that my better half was using my computer.

A racist teabagger is a sad thing to witness.

Ruff, I'm not sure he meant it in a racist tea-bagger way. It could be that people wouldn't know it was MLK Day just by looking at a calendar. They know what day it is because it's a day off work and extra paid vacation.

At least, I hope that's how he meant it. If I'm wrong, I'm sorry and that's just sad.

Wow, way to pull out the racist card ruff. Get a clue and quit screaming racist when someone mentions a black man.

you are correct Layla.

Yeah cp, I noticed that as well. The outline of the Arizona seems so small compared to the Missouri. When looking at pictures of Pearl before the attack I remember thinking that the old battleships all looked so top heavy. Huge superstructures on relatively short hulls.

The Arizona was designed in 1912, laid down in 1913, The Missouri was designed in 1937-38, laid down in 1940. Huge difference in design philosophy.

the old battleships all looked so top heavy. Huge superstructures on relatively short hulls.

When first designed they had small superstructures, these were rebuilt many times over their lives. They were slated to be replaced in the mid 20's, absolutely by the early 30's. Naval treaties prevented them from being replaced, so they were modernized. Even after Pearl Harbor most of the old battleships were again modernized for service in WWII.

We actually only lost two of the nine battleships in Pearl on that day. The Arizona and the Oklahoma. the rest after repairs served distinguished careers in the pacific war. They were not designed for modern warfare, the fact that they were able to be redesigned and upgraded spoke well about the ability of those ships, they were very potent for battleships of such a small relative size. But remember they were designed at a time when aircraft bombs and torpedoes were still fanciful dreams.

Thanks Egilman!

Patrick - The Arizona lies where sunk. She was never refloated.

The mere fact that we all are free to disent, free to express our own opinions and free to wish for better things for our country doesn't mean anyone needs to go to some other land. When you experience someone you love going down what you think is the wrong road do you point it out, or abandon them? "Love it or leave it" has got to be the stupidist thing a psuedo-patriot ever said.

People tend to forget history. This was not an isolated attack. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was pretty close to the high point of their domination of Southeast Asia. They had already subdued most of China and on December 8th, the day after the attack on Pearl, they began the invasion of the Phillipines.

Probably started with Perry in 1853

Brett you must study history before you make such outragious, stupid statements. Look up AVG on wikipedia. The American Volunteer Group were a bunch of American Pilots fighting to stop the Japanese from conquering all of China and Manchuria in 1939. The Japanese used biological Warfare killing thousands of Chinese with engineered weapons. The AVG had US backing to defend China but were not official Army Airforce. The Japanese plan was to attack the US long before the War. They were island hopping across the Pacific.

obviously, brett is not an american. Half the world is racist, you don't blow people up over it. This was the start of the war so its a milestone, so was 911 a sneak attack by foreigners and we are still fighting. I am not sure quite how war should start. ...I declare that we fight....! As far as it being anticipated, sure...all countries have plans to kill and maim.