Almost everyone who witnessed the events of December 7, 1941 first-hand is now gone. Of course, those who were old enough to fight after the attack on Pearl Harbor are leaving us quickly. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, about 240,000 of the 16 million Americans who fought in World War II are still alive.
Today, on the 80th anniversary of that fateful day that changed the world, a day we now know as the “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day”, we honor the 2,403 who died when the Japanese surprised a small base in what was then US territory. We remember that in declaring war and joining the Allies in World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “With confidence in our armed forces, with the boundless determination of our people, we will win the victory.” inevitable triumph — so help us God.”
And they did.
The Greatest Generation saved the world, came home, and fueled an incredibly successful decade that built the America we know today. Then they handed it over to the rest of us.
So much has changed since then. The Japanese are now among our strongest allies, and the financial partnerships they have formed there have been extremely beneficial to the Mountain State. Germany and Italy are also among our friends.
The blood of remaining World War II veterans must boil as they watch Americans march through the streets carrying Nazi banners and chanting slogans that the greatest generation fought against. Yet they know, disgusting as such a spectacle may be, that they fought for a country where people are free to express the opinions they wish.
So today, on this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, take a moment to reflect on these lessons – some of which seem to have been lost – that we need to learn from the 16 million Americans (and their families back home) who went to war after that horrible day. Study the history of this day and how it changed our nation. It’s the least we can do to repay them.