65 Years Ago

The day that will forever live in infamy, Pearl Harbor Hawaii was attacked with a total loss of life numbering over 2,000.

The US only lost one battleship, USS Arizona (BB-39). The California (BB-44) and West Virginia (BB-48) which were also sunk, were both, raised, repaired and lived to fight again. The Oklahoma (BB-37) which capsized was righted and raised and never returned to service. Many other ships were light to severely damaged but all returned to service before the wars end.

None of the carriers which were the real target of the attach, were not in port at the time of the attack. As it turned out the Carriers were the saving grace and contributed immensely to the Pacific war effort.

A lot of blame was passed around and the two highest ranking officers, Admiral Kimmel and General Short were demoted and retired in disgrace which was to be expected, but the bureaucracy of the Roosevelt Administration is as much to blame as well.

To the Japaneses' credit this was a well planned, well executed attack. The Imperial Navy's lack of follow up attacks, and the fact that the American carriers were at sea are often questioned.

As the Japanese soon found out and as quoted by Admiral Yamamoto, it did wake up a sleeping giant. Americans came together as a country, put all differences aside, and got together to defeat the enemies of the nation and the world. The world could not match the industrial power. The amount of equipment produced, the number of men and women in uniform, the ability to support wars on two fronts thousands of miles from the States, could not be matched. A sleeping giant was awakened indeed.

It took over four years, and over 400,000 American lives but the US and its allies beat back the Axis powers and the world was at peace.

I believe the lesson to be learned from the Pearl Harbor attacks and the subsequent war effort is that this nation, can come together in good times and bad putting differences aside and work towards common goals.

We have been at peace with Japan and Germany now for over sixty year, they are both now allies, and commerce partners. We helped rebuild the countries who were once our enemies, and now both have thriving economies and democracy's.

The men and woman of that generation, the greatest generation are to be saluted for their efforts, bravery and devotion, to life, liberty and country.

One of these days I would like to go to Pearl Harbor and pay my personal respects, and visit this amazing place of history

Thank you, and Rest in Peace to the men and women who gave their lives in service of this country, and to all those who have served, and who are currently serving, God bless you all

--gfo