USS Arizona survivors gather.

The Arizona Republic ^ | Dec. 7, 2003 | Monica Alonzo-Dunsmoor

[SandRat]

Donald Stratton, now 81, is among the USS Arizona survivors meeting in Tucson.

Vincent "Jimmy" Vlach sits on the edge of his bed every night and recites a hushed prayer for the men killed on Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor.

[SandRat]

Patriot and Veteran PINGS

[Old Sarge]

How many are still with us?

What will the NEA do, when the last veteran leaves? How will they re-write history for their agenda? You know they're just waiting.

[SandRat]

Well, they have to wait until the sons and daughters of the men and women of WWII are gone and even then they'll play hell.

I am a son of that era.
I have a son and I've taught him as has his grandfather. I've even taken him to Pearl Harbor and to the USS Arizona.

If we've all been doing that the NEA will pay hell for any attempt to rewrite history.

[mfulstone]

To the Congress of the United States:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State of form reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember 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 people 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 no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The White House, December 8, 1941

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The NEA is busy, along with the Smithsonian and PBS, repeating the big lie that America's belligerence started the war in the Pacific. It was our fault, since we cut off supplies of scrap iron and California crude oil, that Japan "struck back," to liberate the Euro-dominated peoples of Asia.
Conservatives need to take stock of who our friends are while we fight the present emergency, which is not really different from the one presented by Imperial Japan. Then, as now, there is no negotiating possible. Its all or nothing.

[SandRat]

Does any of what you've said sound like all that has come out on US involvement since 9/11?

Think about it then think about who benefits from spreading this tripe.

It's the same Hate America Socialist/Communist crowd that it always was. Now they try to hide behind names like Progressives, Environmental Friends of the Word or some such other nonsense (damn Watermelons).

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I just finished reading "Flyboys," by James Bradley (his second book after "Flags of our Fathers"). This story collects a good sum of Japanese military history from 1890-1945, while also telling the story of a half dozen Navy flyers sent to take out a WW II radio station on Chichi Jima. Among the lads is a young George H. W. Bush.

[SandRat]

I agree a superb read.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

It is the shrinking number of sailors and those killed during the attack that Joseph Langdell, 89, of Yuba City, Calif., always thinks about when he remembers that day.

"I think about the 1,177 men who were killed," he said. "Many of those sailors never knew the love of a wife, of a child, or a grandchild," Langdell said. "That was the price they paid so you can live the way you are living today."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

click graphic above

 

                  

            God Bless those who serve our country

                  * * * Past, present and future!  * * *

[VOA]

Among the lads is a young George H. W. Bush.

I never will forget seeing a news show in which Papa Bush talked about how
he'd heard a British speaker at his toney prep school discuss the struggle against
the Nazis; this moved the young Bush so much he decided to sign up.

Papa Bush got pretty emotional as he recounted his father refusal and final
acceptance of his decision. Papa Bush...just...about...dropped a
tear when he recounted the emotional experience.

[SandRat]

This a Kleenex ALERT!

When we stopped at Hawaii on the way back from an assignment in Korea we took the time to take the Pearl Harbor Tour and then go aboard the USS Arizona Memorial.

I'll always remember my son's reaction (he was just going into 1st grade). I explained what had happened and why it was a Memorial. That the big plaque on the wall listed all names of the men who died and were still aboard the ship and how the Navy considered the men and the ship still as serving.

He sat there on the bench looking into the well. He began sobbing and saying "We have to get the men out and send them home to their moms. Their Moms need them to come home!" Two young female Navy enlisted Petty Officers in uniform came over and sat on either side of him on the bench and started sobbing and hugging him and telling him that it was all right they were with their friends and we were honoring them.

The trip back to the dock from the memorial was a real pass the Kleenex box trip. He got lots of hugs from the boat crew (those same two young enlisted female Petty Officers) and the dock personnel (it seems they radioed in to them his reaction).

He remembers those men to this day. Each time he's flown in or out of the Phoenix Airport he's always taken a few moments to just gaze at the exhibit of the USS Arizona with the ship's Silver Service from the Ward Room and gets VERY angry at the Peace-Nik crowd.

I was proud of him then and remain so today; he understands!

[blackie]

God Bless those who serve our country
* * * Past, present and future! * * *

~ Big Bump ~

[Eric in the Ozarks]

George Bush # 41 had it made by the time he was ready to enter college. The fact that he joined up (no doubt his dad could've kept him out of the war) shows his mettle.

[Jacquerie]

And during the 1988 campaign the major news magazines and alphabet networks had the gall to refer to him as a "wimp".

[JulieRNR21]

We must never forget the attack on Pearl Harbor or those who gave their lives to protect & defend America!

We are the Land of the Free....
Thanks to the Brave!

May God Bless them and comfort their families!

[19th LA Inf]

One of those still down there is my cousin, Jesse Silvey from Alvin, TX, MM2C, 1918-1941. We won't forget them.

[SandRat]

Believe it or not CNN just covered a sailor who survived Peal Harbor and was a member of the USS Arizona crew having his ashes returned to perpetual active service aboard the Arizona with full military honors.

[PhilDragoo]

Upon hearing of the Pearl Harbor attack, while a student at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., George Bush decided he wanted to join the Navy to become an aviator. Six months later, after graduation, he enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday and began preflight training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After completing the 10-month course, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 9 June 1943, several days before his 19th birthday; making him the youngest naval aviator then.

My dad served on USS Saratoga (CV-3)

God bless our veterans and troops today and forever.

[snippy_about_it]

God bless our veterans and troops today and forever.

Amen.

Thanks for the ping Phil.