At 7:55 AM, 65 years ago today, America was plunged into the World War with Japan by the aerial sneak attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on a Sunday morning. There are several Pearl Harbor Survivor chapters in California, perhaps one near you. They usually conduct a ceremony commemorating that day at an appropriate place of memorial. If you have the time, seek them out in your area. In California they typically start around 9:55AM PST to coincide with that moment in Hawaii. As our Pearl Harbor heroes are dwindling in number, [it has been 65 years since these young men were there] I would strongly suggest we try to honor them in person…and remember.
Here’s a link to an enlightening story I found in the New York Times yesterday about Kenneth M. Taylor, an Army Air Corps (now the Air Force) pilot who was one of the first to strike back on behalf the country.
December 7th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I was 3 and 1/2 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, living in a So. Calif. that no longer exists. To a very young child, the radio going off the air and the lights that night going off all over California was something I will never forget. Many of those young men who went to war left from Long Beach. Many Navy and those in the Army Air Corp. left from the hangers at the Douglas A/C also in Long Beach. My Aunt went to work at Douglas as many women did here..I do remember she was a “Rosie the Riveter” at Douglas. Japanese subs entered our coastal waters and we “mined” along the coast around our military base areas. Air raid sirens, camoflouge over Douglas and other A/C facilities here, blackout curtains, air raid wardens, ration books for shoes, meat, gasoline and Victory Gardens ruled those years. Yes we do need to honor and appreciate those veterans who are still with us.