Friday, December 07, 2007
Pearl Harbor Day - Never Forget
When : Always December 7th
Pearl Harbor Day, commemorates the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack began at dawn December 7, 1941. It crippled the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and caused the U.S. to enter World War II.
During the attack at Pearl Harbor, over 2,400 American serviceman and 68 civilians were killed. Five of the eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking, and virtually all ships were damaged.
On Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, U.S. flags are to be flown at half staff.
On December 8, 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in a speech to Congress it was "..a day that will live in infamy". The U.S. then declared war on Japan.
Resident Roosevelt's Speech:
"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.
But 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.
posted by El Capitan at 7:37 AM
6 Comments:
Southern (in)Sanity said...
You are exactly right. Pearl Harbor is one of those events in history that people should NEVER forget.
12:09 PM Casey Klahn said...
Very nice post. I will link it, today.
BTW, I prefer the word honor or remember over the phrase "commemorate the Japanese..," but I quibble.
El Capitan said...
"BTW, I prefer the word honor or remember over the phrase "commemorate the Japanese..," but I quibble."
Actually, you're right, 'honor' is more fitting then 'commemorate.' Amazing how the meaning of words are misused or misunderstood.
said...
It is on this day in 1941 when the United States realized that our trust in Japan was not deserved, and that we were in effect, asleep with regards to Japan. On behalf of my illegally abducted American daughter, Melissa Braden, and the thousands of other illegally abducted children being held in Japan , and in hindsight, I suggest that we should all seriously consider the lesson of history on this day.
It appears that the Japan of 2007 has not changed in many ways from the pre-war Japan. Much of their actions may still be driven by the Empirical rule-the-world viewpoint that had to be stopped in WWII. Many significant parallels may be drawn between the history of the 1930s and 1940s, and today.
Today, Japan allows its citizens to ignore the laws, jurisdiction, and custody rulings previously established in another country , and in effect steal our children with impunity.
According to the US Dept of State and the NCMEC , JAPAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO RETURN EVEN 1 SINGLE ILLEGALLY ABDUCTED CHILD FROM! Japan continues to defiantly operate in numerous areas, as if they are not a part of our global society and should not be held up to international standards on numerous issues, in spite of the way they appear to the rest of the world. Today, for their handling of international child abductions, Japan has been demarched by most of the industrialized world, and their response has been zero.
Healing these old wounds from WWII is a two-way street. The Childrens Rights Council of Japan estimates that there are over 10,000 outstanding cases ...all of them unresolved .
If you see a Pearl Harbor Day event, stop in and talk to those fellow Americans and any Japanese involved. Help spread our story.
Sincerely,
Patrick Braden
Global(dot)Future(at)Yahoo(dot)com
Michelle said...
There are events that have shaped us as a young country. Pearl Harbor was THE BIG ONE.........
Until September 11th 2001.
It never ceases to amaze me that the average American becomes nostalgic over Pearl Harbor and treats 9/11 like an action scene from some stupid movie.
Nothing against you dear, or your respect for the day.......
But you, are in Iraq.....
Merely Points to ponder.
Flag Gazer said...
Would that we had the resolve today that we had then...
3:43 AM