Beech Tree News Network

As a child, I heard my grandparents, parents, and teachers talk about the attack on Pearl Harbor much like my grandchildren hear about the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. December 7, 1941, was a devastating day for the United States.

According to a historical website, “Just before 8 on the morning of December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The barrage lasted just two hours…. The Japanese destroyed nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and almost 200 airplanes. More than 2,000 Americans soldiers and sailors died in the attack, and another 1,000 were wounded. The day after the assault, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan; Congress approved his declaration with just one dissenting vote. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy also declared war on the United States, and again Congress reciprocated. More than two years into the conflict, America had finally joined World War II” (http://www.history.com/topics/pearl-harbor).

In 1941, my father was too young to join a military branch; but, before the war ended, he served in the Army. World War II ended during his term of service. Many in my father’s generation served in the military (In addition to his first years of service, my father was recalled in 1950 during the Korean Conflict and later joined the Air Force Reserve.). An Internet website records the United States WWII death count as 407,000 military and 6,000 civilian, totaling 413,000 U.S. deaths (http://www.angelfire.com/ct/ww2europe/stats.html).

On December 8, 1941, President Roosevelt said, “Yesterday, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked…. 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….” (http://www.history.com/topics/pearl-harbor).

Pearl Harbor Day is approaching. It’s time to remember those who died in the 1941 attack and the many others who defended our country (Thanks, Dad.).