:: 7:55 a.m. ::
Sunday morning at
the naval base was business as usual. Sunday services had been
planned, mess halls were prepared for the breakfast crowd, and the
flag was being hoisted by the color guard. At the Naval Command
Center on Ford Island, Commander Logan Ramsey watched the color
guard as they performed their duty. At that moment, he peered out of
his window to see an unusually low-flying plane soaring by. “A young
reckless pilot,” he thought idly to himself. It wasn’t but seconds
later that Commander Ramsey noticed something dark drop suddenly
from the bottom of that plane. Recognizing the dark object as a bomb
and realizing what was happening, Commander Ramsey rushed to the
telegraph operators. “Send this message to all radiomen on duty at
every ship on every base,” he commanded urgently. The message rang
out loudly:
“AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”
It was 7:55 a.m.
One of the most brutal attacks on our country is remembered through
history books, photos, commentary, and even film. But 65 years have
passed since the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor, and there are
few people alive today that remember first-hand the feelings that
swept the island of Oahu, Hawaii at exactly 7:55 a.m. on December 7,
1941.
Thursday, December 7, 2006, marked the 65th Anniversary of the
attack on Pearl Harbor. All over the United States, Pearl Harbor
survivors and their families gathered to remember their fallen
comrades who were there with them on the island of Oahu on that
fateful day. This year, forty-nine survivors gathered with their
families for a formal service at Churchland High School at 7:55
Pearl Harbor time to remember their experience. They shared stories
and paid tribute to the fallen servicemen and civilians.
As time passes, it is more and more difficult to hear first-hand
accounts from people who experienced these historical events in our
country. Even Pearl Harbor survivors who have gathered every five
years on December 7 at Pearl Harbor met for their final roll call
this year as the end of their generation fades away. Stories from
historical events such as Pearl Harbor that were once shared
person-to-person are too often consigned to a brief section in a
history book or marked on the yearly calendar.
However, as American citizens, it is our privilege to remember those
who lived these historical moments that form the story of our
nation. It is our privilege to celebrate their patriotism and
willingness to serve and sacrifice for our country. Whether it is by
inviting a veteran to speak to a high school history class, using
the Veteran’s History Project to record personal accounts, or simply
spending a little extra time telling our children the details of
these recognized days, it is important to show appreciation to those
who have served our country by listening and telling stories.
As the anniversary of historical milestones like Pearl Harbor pass
by, let them be more than just a day marked on the calendar. Let us
join the heroes of Pearl Harbor and step back to remember the fallen
through their stories and in the valued memories of their families.
Let us take the time to listen and share the individual stories. So
that when someone asks us, we can say “Let me tell you the story of
this Pearl Harbor hero I once met. He was there. He lived it.” And
maybe, just maybe, we will never have to live it again.
:: Iraq Study Group Report Released ::
The Iraq Study
Group Report was issued last Wednesday by a bipartisan panel headed
by former Secretary of State James Baker III and former Democratic
Representative Lee Hamilton. The panel offers 79 specific
recommendations for changes in U.S. policy across the Middle East as
part of an effort to stabilize Iraq.
To read the full
report,
click here.
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