A date that will live in infamy is exactly Americans thoughts at the loss of so many young, innocent, and nieve young men who had no idea what was to come.
So many joined the Navy for a future, for success, but for others it was the enticement of a few bucks that made a 'make or break' for their families as they were in poverty.
The recruiters may have worked overtime to keep them coming in by the droves but it was the ultimate act of sacrifice with their own lives that these men (boys in many cases) because some lied on their paperwork to defend their country -will forever be remembered.
While they were 'sucker punched' while enjoying themselves, singing, dancing, meeting women off the ships harbors, it was the 'fame gone bad' that was such a hard thing to accept.
Many might proclaim they were to cocky, too egotistical, too grand to be taken down and thinking they were ahead in all regards with the Japanese.
However, the Japanese proved us wrong and these men had horrific deaths many jumping into shark infested/gasoline spilled waters to avoid fires on board. Their skin became burned off so badly they became unrecognizable. The smell was something I'm sure nobody shall forget.
The women who came to their aid and assisted and the countless loss of life and navy equipment took a huge toll against 'the Giant'.
In a little over 2 hrs over 2k US servicemen were killed, over 1k were injured, with 68 civilians killed, and 35 more wounded on December 7th 1941 7:55 am.
Jeff Shaara has put together a novel that speaks to the heart of the matter. The research was extensive, the emotional appeal was heart wrenching, the memories forever etched in history.
I'm so grateful to all those who played a roll in getting these voices on paper because this two wave raid is something I shall never forget.
Having a father in the Cold War -Navy Vet- who just received his National Defense Service medal and Navy Good Conduct Medal in 2012 ( https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nepa-veterans-receive-long-overdue-medals/article_6bf5ab66-b458-5e9a-9e45-a2fb0486bbc3.html ) was bitter sweet because one of the first places my pop took our family was to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Visitor Center and as a kid I was fascinated but as an adult looking back I know the terrible aftermath and I can only pray history never repeats itself.
No comments:
Post a Comment