History A day of infamy--Dec.7,1941 8am

Never forget! God Bless America!





Ken

 

Beaner thank you for this post. Kinda hits home as I was out there on the pier at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard today and watched the commemoration. There must have been a hundred or so people nearby and as you might imagine there was quite a bit of conversation going on. However, when the Air Force F-22 Raptors flew in and did the Missing Man formation and again when the Navy destroyer and submarine passed by the USS Arizona rendering honors there was hardly a noise at all, just a couple of ventilation fans and a compressor. I've never heard the shipyard this quiet.
It sends the message home for those of us who live and work here as well as our sailors that freedom isn't free. As a Navy veteran I felt honored to be where I was today, and I must admit, a bit choked up at what I saw.
By the way, what was your uncles name? If you don't mind, I'll render him my respects tomorrow and in the future. I often pay my respects to the Arizona sailors and Marines who are still down there when I drive across the Ford Island bridge and would be honored to address your uncle by name. Eli

 

I was not born then but I give those men and women who served in the armed forces the ultimate respect. Thank You for being there when we needed you the most.

 

Rocky, the sad part of this inscription is that whoever made it, must have had politicaly correct orders,----They left out the words "So help us GOD"
Visiting this WWII memorial a few years back in D.C. I noticed the missing last words & made mention to others standing close by, & they too agreed the last part was missing!-----Don

 

Here's the pix I took----

 

guys thanks for this thread. i cant tell yall how much it hit home yesterday.i had uncles who fought in ww2 ,my father in korea and lost many friends during viet nam. i always remember this day in my heart because of my uncles but when i think of how all americans suffered during this time i feel so lost.i want to jump up on a car and wave a big american flag but then wonder who will really care. i went tothe store yesterday. a little country store by the house. i mentioned it was dec 7th and not one person in that store knew anything about pearl harbor. not one!!! well one did say she read something about it on the interenet this morning. there were 7 people in that damn store.i know i counted them! the youngest was 19 the oldest was 37. i know cause i asked them! went i left i felt sick. what the hell happened to my country.ok sorry for the rant but im still kinda in shock over this.(people not knowing)

 

Lord, Ned I believe. He would have been below deck a Machinist's Mate as I recall.

I doubt that I will ever make it to Pearl Harbor, but I would be proud if you spoke with him for me.

Benno

 

God bless the USA. My dad landed in Normandy. He,s gone now. God bless my Dad.

 

the inscription in stone in the photo above is not the speech of FDR, but an assortment of words gathered from the speech.
here's the beginning of the speech as it was spoken that day.....

President Franklin D. Roosevelt: Yesterday, December 7, 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. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or 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 as 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 Japanese forces 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. . .

 

I've been to Pearl Harbor many times and every time I see something different. Something I never even noticed before. Total life changing experience that every American should see.

I won't go into details, but if you've been there you know what I'm talking about. If not, you need to.

Thanks to all our service men and women for what they do to insure our way of life.

 

Wasn't born then, but served on the troop transports USS Mitchell and USNS Patrick in the 60's, we tied up right across from the Arizona memorial...watched the sun sink over it and thought of the over 1,000 sailors entombed in her hull, each time, never forgot the sight...

Don, thanks for starting this thread.

 

You left out some of the best parts...

"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 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 very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

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. "

 

Saxman

Glad you posted more of the President's Pearl Harbor speech

 

My point was "so help me God" was not part of the sentence structure inscribed in stone....hence the "..." at the end of my quote

 

I too was surprised at how many people didn't acknowledge the day. Maybe they were busy doing things they wouldn't be able to do without the sacrifice of so many others. And it is sickening.

When I was stationed on the west coast, my ship went to Hawaii a couple times. Both times, going to the memorial was a "must do" type thing. Before liberty, our captain asked us to try and make a visit, but you could tell by his voice that it was more of a "how could you not" request.

My mates and I didn't need a request, as sailors, it was already part of our plans. For anyone who hasn't been, I can tell you that it is one of a few places where you will be speechless.

If you can, please visit. You'll never be the same.

 

Done, tomorrow and for as long as I'm here. I consider it an honor and my privilege. Eli

 

Agree with all here--very sad most folks today don't realize what Dec 7th entails. Have been to Pearl and the memorial and , as someone said, every American should experience this--cannot put the feeling into words. Have a relative on the Arizona list--last name Bedford. We shall all be indebted to those who served during WW 2 and there are fewer every day--we owe them our freedom.

 

Read every post, all choked up. Thank you all!

 

I found Fireman 1st class Purdy Bedford on the Arizona casualty list. I'll include him as well.

 

the entire FDR speech....
still stirs 71 yrs later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_reGRx5RiSo&list=FL6jMytUMp8nMEPKL5qJ3eeA&index=1

 

I had the privilege of knowing Elmo Williams who directed the filming of Tora Tora Tora. We would sit in his living room and talk about all the films he had directed. Tora was one of his favorite films. He said the outstanding special efects help made the film. The aruay of actors was some of his best memories doing this film. Mounths were spent on history accounts of the bombing of the harbor. He is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.

 

Powerful Thread

 

I want to thank you for keeping this thread open. As a vietnam vet it makes me appreciate this site even more. Again Thanks

It's sad that Pearl Harbor Day is being swept under the rug,maybe its because of the dwindling number of WW2 vets? We owe them all the respect we can offer them as with out them we would not be enjoying what we have today including this love affaire we have with our cars. Or maybe it's no longer politically correct,I don't know, but i will continue to be a nonconformist and say God bless you WW2 vets and your families.

 

Pearl Harbor Day is being swept under the rug because it is no longer fashionable to talk about any country (other than the USA) in a negative manner. If we talk about Pearl Harbor, then it might offend our Japanese friends. Somehow, I am sure we were complicit in the attack. There are two sides to every story, after all. History is being rewritten to show that the USA is at the heart of all evil.

FWIW, I wasn't born then but my father welded repairs on many of the damaged ships that were in the Battle of Midway.

 

I wasn't around yet, born in '45.
My Dad was though, right in the middle of the action. He was stationed at Ford Island, had just arrived there in Nov. An 18 yr old kid, fresh out of Aviation Ordnance School. Was going on duty that morning, muster was at the HQ building near the PBY ramp, grabbed a cup of coffee and stepped out a few min. prior to 8. Looked up and couldn't figure out what all those planes were doing up that early in the morning, figured they were Army planes as they were doing war games against each other the last few weeks. Soon found out otherwise as a bomb went off right on the ramp and he saw the Rising Sun on the wing of the dive bomber.
He just passed away a month ago at age 90
I was on a ship there when they were filming Tora, Tora, Tora. We were the DD that spotted the mini sub trying to enter the harbor and depth charged it.

 

As we lose the Veterans of the Greatest generation each day , my father inlaw being one of the WWII vets, lets never forget their Service and Sacrifice for their country!!!!!
Thank You For Your Service!!!!!

 

I wasn't around, yet, but it was my parents 3 month aniversary. They were in Iowa City Iowa where my dad was a student at The U. of Iowa, (then called The State University of Iowa). Dad joined the Navy in 1942, after he graduated.

Attached is a 1943 photo from when he was stationed in Hawaii. Soon after he shipped out on the USS Howard W. Gilmore.

 

Fla. issues "Pearl Harbor Survivor" tags, looks odd seeing them on Hondas, Toyotas, ect.

 

Uh huh...

Hot rods, lots of em...


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A day that will live in infamy indeed....this is why I love the HAMB.




RESPECT