Posted on 12/06/2017 9:23:36 AM PST by Kaslin
We were having an 8 a.m. coffee with family in their home on the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam when the music started.
Ringing through the morning, as happens every day here and on U.S. military bases around the world, was the melody of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
“What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming …”
As the song plays, people strolling through the neighborhood freeze in their steps, cars pull to the side of the road, and even children stop playing and stand tall, exactly as they have been taught, to honor our flag and the freedom and sacrifice that it embodies.
“Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
“O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?”
Although I’ve been deeply moved by this anthem throughout my life, it is particularly poignant here at Pearl Harbor, especially as we approach Dec. 7, the anniversary of the “date which will live in infamy.” The words and music seem to carry with them the spirits of those who gave their lives for our freedom in this very place 76 years ago.
“And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
“Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there …”
I imagine the terror of that awful Sunday in this peaceful neighborhood. Homes like the one I visited were occupied by dads, moms, and children, most still in the safety of their beds. While airmen and seamen slept in, relaxed or attended to early morning tasks just after sunrise on what promised to be a beautiful Hawaiian day, the world suddenly changed forever.
Many must have listened intently as they were stirred from their sleep by the roar of bombers overhead, a sound that was alarmingly different from that of normal flight exercises. Others would have stared and pointed at the sky in confusion as it suddenly darkened by hundreds of foreign aircraft. When the whistle of bombs screaming toward the earth began, fear and panic quickly gripped hearts as the ground erupted and the harbor spewed from the deafening, continual explosions.
“O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
“O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
In the end, eight of the Pacific Fleet’s battleships were badly damaged and several, including the Arizona, were sunk, sending many of their seamen to a watery death. Sixteen ships in all and 367 aircraft were damaged or destroyed. And, so very devastating to our nation and to all who loved them, 2,335 men and women in service were murdered by evil on these hallowed grounds and waters, and another 1,178 were wounded.
By the time the bloody world war ended in 1945, more than 400,000 American military men and women had been killed. They proudly fought and honored our flag with their very lives so that you and I could live in peace and freedom.
While they endured a hellish nightmare for us, it is beyond shameful that some cannot muster the decency to simply stand in honor of them.
Although our nation asks that we rise when “The Star-Spangled Banner” plays, it is usually only for the first short stanza that our attention and respect are requested.
This week as we honor the shattered lives of Pearl Harbor, please take a few minutes to reflect on the entirety of the song that pays tribute to all those who serve. And join me in praying that every U.S. citizen will treasure all that the banner represents as so eloquently described in the final words from verse four:
“Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
“Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
“Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
“And this be our motto — “In God is our trust,”
“And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
“O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
ping
"Why would we drop bombs on Japan? They're our friends!"
Shaking my head.....
Hundreds of thousands of Americans gave everything or were wounded by sadistic and evil men to protect those who disrespect their sacrifices for the American people, the flag, and the Anthem.
People should learn the 4th stanza of the Star Spangled Banner. It explains the heart and soul of our country's founding and survival...and why liberal marxists hate us.
I remember the day——I was 9 years old and we were at an aunt’s house for Sunday dinner.
My cousin and I heard the adults talking about going to war and we were afraid they would cancel Christmas.
Tough years ahead.
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That is the result of our fine “educational” system. Sad.
You are welcome, and you are correct. It does indeed explain what you said
Thanks for sharing that, Mears.
I was a baby of exactly 5 month and a day.
Bttt.
5.56mm
Empty seats = lower gate revenues, lower TV ratings, lower commercial effectiveness and, ultimately, lower player salaries and bonuses. Then, maybe then, the goons will stand up and take notice.
It is indeed, and to be honest the ones are to blame is the “educational system for not teaching what they should.
You had no worries about Christmas,just your next meal.:-)
My DIL’s mother was a young teenager attending Mass in Honolulu when the bombing started-———she said it was terrifying,and her sister actually fainted in fear.
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All Americans should learn all four verses. But if we have to sing only onr verse, it should be the last one.
Sorry for any redundancy, but I’ll be posting on each Pearl Harbor thread, and will start my own tomorrow: For his Eagle Scout project my son made a 50-minute documentary on USS Arizona survivor and bomber pilot Lou Conter. We traveled to Hawaii for the 75th anniversary last year, and the film also has commentary by other survivors, and by some general officers we met there. We’re tremendously proud of it. The film is available ad-free on YouTube. Follow the link on the project website, witnesstoinfamy.com
By the millions unchained who our birthright have gained,...
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