OT - December 7th

D

DKP

Joined
Nov 15, 1999
Messages
334
I know it is not politically correct today, but having been raised by a survivor of Pearl Harbor, I'll never forget this date. Join me in hoisting a cup in remembrance of this date in 1941, a moment of silence for those who paid the ultimate price for us, & a word of thankfulness to those who came home.
 
I remember it well! Surprised? I was 4.5 years old. I was living with my Grandparents. I still can see the old Bee Hive Radio in the living room, where FDR was announcing the attack! On a Sunday, things sure got quiet around the house. Made quite an impression on me! DAG
 
I was 8 years old and living in St. Louis. Dad and I had gone to a movie -- Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde with Spencer Tracy. The theatre manager stopped the film, walked on stage and announced that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and suggested that we all might be better served by going home to be with families. I remember the newsboys hawking papers into the wee hours of the AM. And I recall vividly doing some quick research on Japan and predicting that the war would be over in six weeks. It was the beginning of what I view as the worst time and the best time this country ever went through.
 
Not much to add about Pearl Harbor. But I know many Filipinos who remember vividly life under Japanese Rule. Ill definitely hoist a cup in remembrance.
 
I too remember hearing the news on the radio. Soon after that there was an Uncle in the signal Corps,
an Uncle in the CB's, two younger uncles in the Airborne,(Screaming Eagles) And my father was in the U.S. Army. 4 were wounded and my father was a prisoner of the Germans for almost 4 yrs.

Did I tip one for those people? You can bet your life on that. Proud, You can bet on that too.
 
The day Yangdu was sworn in as a US citizen the guys who raised the colors were old Filipino WWII fighters. They along with Old Glory got a salute from this old salt.
 
I know it is not politically correct today, but having been raised by a survivor of Pearl Harbor, I'll never forget this date. Join me in hoisting a cup in remembrance of this date in 1941, a moment of silence for those who paid the ultimate price for us, & a word of thankfulness to those who came home.
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not politically correct?!? Why the heck not?:confused: It happened, many good men died, and they should be remembered. I'll definitely join you but without a trace of guilt about the PC crowd:barf: (I realize you don't fit into this group however..)
 
My father was an 18 year old coming down Kaimuki Hill from church when they saw a big cloud over Pearl Harbor. Everyone thought it was a fire. That night all the ROTC kids (including Dad) were called out to the mountains for the coming invasion. They ended up shooting at each other all night.

Drafted as a private. In the segregated days, where does a Chinese soldier from Hawaii get put? In a white unit destined for the Pacific. Climbing down the nets to the landing craft. Master calls out for him to get out. Can't go on the beaches. Would be shot by own troops as a Japanese sniper in US gear. Ends up guarding an artillery unit one mile behind the lines.

Much, much later on. Big day coming. Supplies being stocked up. Hawaii boys hearing how Tripler Hospital in Honolulu (the main military hospital in the Pacific) is pitching massive tents on the lawn. Invasion of Japan. Everybody scared. Then word of a new bomb. Then another one. Then . . .

Whether drafted, volunteered for a job, volunteered because everyone else did, volunteered because it was the right thing . . . doesn't matter. Because of them in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, all the battles that are forgotten, and especially all the silent battles that get hushed up, my American generation didn't have to go through it. We could go to school, work, travel around . . . didn't have to see the bad side of humanity (and maybe didn't have to see the bad side inside us). Many thanks to all from all.

(Sometimes I wonder when they look at us, whether they think it wasn't worth it?

:) )
 
I think those five years -- 1940 to 45 -- changed the history of the world more than any five years since the beginning. About the only things I can think of that might change it more faster would be a nuclear halocaust or the second coming of Christ. I'm not sure if it changed for better or worse. I guess only the future holds that answer.
 
Saw the Arizona when I want to Pearl Harbor 3 years ago...sobering. Got to hike up to the observation bunkers on Diamond Head, outside of Waikiki Beach.

Keith
 
Funny how when you live somewhere, you see the local sights (sort of like New Yorkers and the Statue of Liberty). I only went up to the Diamond head bunkers when a visitng friend dragged me up there.

The Arizona Memorial is a good spot. Surprisingly quiet in spite of the crowds (must be the respect). I believe oil is still seeping out and the bodies are still entombed within. I heard that they had the premiere of the movie "Pearl Harbor" there. You see a lot of Japan's WWII vets visiting, too. Very sobering for them (no smiles). It was the mistaken step that led to the invasion of their country. Glad Hawaii wasn't invaded. After what happened in China, Malaya/Singapore, Philippines, etc., we might have had a lot of internship stories.
 
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