I told them: “It’s like September 11th is for you.”
They still didn’t get it. I had to explain that on December 7th 1941 is when WWII started for the US.
I would like to take this time to thank all of those Vets who went before us and made this world a safe place for the rest of us. Another point that some may not know, the Vets who fought in the wars before our wars, also fought the wars back home. Their organizations, like the VFW, American Legion etc fought for better pay for better veteran benefits.
If you know a WWII Vet, please take some time this week to buy them a cup off coffee, or whatever, and ask them to tell you some stories. The ones I’ve talked to had much better stories than I did. Our living conditions in Iraq were so much better than most had in past wars.
If you need some history lessons today, take a look at these. There were also Army folks at Pearl Harbor, but I got this from my retired Navy uncle (subs).
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq66-1.htm
http://www.nps.gov/valr/historyculture/stories.htm
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/ph-rem.htm
9 comments:
I remember, too. Not that I was there, but I remember historical moments. Good one, soldier.
MF,
Just to be clear...I did not sever in WWII. I do have a WWII medal I earned....very strange, but I earned it.
I remember, too. My boyhood friend's step-dad was a survivor off the Arizona. He wouldn't talk about it much. They were married for years before my frined even knew he was in the Navy.
Good post, Dude, and good links.
Thanks!
Well, i never knew this. Or possibly did but never needed to think about it.
There are ladies in my office whose mothers, nearly 70 years on, still fondly remember the arrival of the GIs in backwater Lancashire.
My aunt remembers the bombs falling that day. She was a teenager on Oahu, and looked up. She heard the bombs, could feel the ground shake, remembers the sound, smoke, the mayhem.
Yes, it is amazing to me that probably 2 generation or more have no inkling about Pearl Harbor.
I suppose I could be considered the "younger generation" although I'm not the youngest however it really irks me beyond all belief when Pear Harbor is mentioned and people say, "That was a good movie. Michael Bay rocks!" It's sad people get their history from the movie theaters. I fear for our future.
1. Even ten years ago, used to chat with WWII vets.
2. The Army and USMC I served in was fairly similar to theirs -and the outlook of a person who has been to war is pretty much the same as everyone else'. (True for Brits, Russians and Germans, too)
3. Don't see any WWII ball caps anymore.
4. Those that are alive aren't getting around like they used to.
5. On December 7, 1941 the whole nation was outraged and mobilized for war very quickly.
6. On September 11, 2001, the nation was frightened, blamed the authorities for not protecting them and looked for someone to blame for the disruption and inconvenience caused by the incident.
7. We've had a fairly intense level of military operations ongoing for nine years and outside of a small, defense oriented community, no one notices.
8. Would gladly thank a WWII vet, if I could find one.
V/R JWest
CP, I have a Arizon survivor story you just reminded me of...I'll have to tell that someday.
NewMagoo, Yeah, were overthere, overpaid and over something else I can't remember.
K, That must have been scary....we've been so lucky for all the wars we've been in, our country has only been attacked a few times.
War of 1812, Civil War, etc.
KD, Hollywood is ...Hollywood.
Mr West, I'm sort of considered a WWII vet...Strange...I was in West Berlin- the "Army of Occupation WWII" medal.
A visit to The Arizona Memorial is on my bucket list. RIP. We will remember them. It is our duty to do so.
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