Having had the opportunity to live in Hawaii with Pearl Harbor as my back yard, I shudder thinking of such a beautiful place wracked with explosions and death. I am stirred again to think of my country's response to that attack. I wish that the people of this country would respond today the way they responded 63 years ago. To see a country unified in purpose, seeking to overthrow the powers of tyranny that would threaten the freedom that was so dearly bought would indeed thrill my heart.
We often here the first part of FDR's speech before Congress - “a day that will live in infamy,” but I’m impressed with the sense of purpose that comes later in the same speech.
Always will be remembered the character of the onslaught against us.
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 peple 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 not 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.
Where is the understanding today that hostilities exist and will exist? Where is the “unbounding determination of our people?” Where is the “confidence in our armed forces?” I hope it has not completely abandoned us, because I think we’re going to need it more urgently in the future. Perhaps we young folks need to be spend some time at the feet of the dwindling numbers of WWII vets, learning the determination and selfless sacrifice necessary to defend the freedom we love.
May we today remember the sacrifices of those who died so we might be free.
Posted by Gabriel at December 7, 2004 09:22 AMWell said, Gabriel. Unfortunately, the young people of your generation are going to have to move quickly to learn from the WWII generation. They are rapidly fading away and there is no other group of people alive today who understand so fully the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom.
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