Posted on 12/06/2002 11:52:00 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Public Law 103-308
Whereas, on December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy and Air Force attacked units of the armed forces of the United States stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii;
Whereas, more than 2,000 citizens of the United States were killed and more than 1,000 citizens of the United States were wounded in the attack on Pearl Harbor;
Whereas, the attack on Pearl Harbor marked the entry of the United States into World War II;
Whereas, the veterans of World War II and all other people of the United States commemorate December 7 in remembrance of the attack on Pearl Harbor; and
Whereas, commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor will instill in all people of the United States a greater understanding and appreciation of the selfless sacrifice of the individuals who served in the armed forces of the United States during World War II: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That December 7 of each year is designated as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day" and the President is authorized and requested--
(1) to issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
(2) to urge all Federal agencies, and interested organizations, groups, and individuals, to fly the flag of United States at halfstaff each December 7 in honor of the individuals who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
Listen to President Roosevelt's speech to Congress, Dec. 8, 1941.
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Now I'm playing catchup on my e-mail and found this one. I thought ya'll might like it:
Subject: marine letter home
Dear Ma and Pa;
Am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before maybe all of the places are filled. I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m., but am getting so I like to sleep late.
Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing. Men got to shave but it is not so bad, they get warm water.
Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc..., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food. But tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit between two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you till noon, when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.
We go on "route" marches, which the Platoon Sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it is not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys gets sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The country is nice, but awful flat.
The Sergeant is like a schoolteacher. He nags some. The Capt. is like the school board. Majors and Colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.
This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing.
I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk and don't move. And it ain't shooting at you, like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.
Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.
Your loving daughter,
Gail
P.S. Speaking of shooting, enclosed is $200 towards a new barn roof and ma's teeth. Them city boys shoot craps, but not very good.
Will Lehner lives right down the road from me, and I was fortunate enough to have him come out to our school last year to talk about his time on the Ward.
A finer man you'll never find.
I talked to Will a few weeks ago, and he recounted his experience going down and finding that sub. The conning tower was taken off, just as he had said.
During the 50th Anniversary Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor Will met some of his former shipmates in Pearl, and also was able to strike up friendships with a few of the Japanese pilots who participated in the attack. He is honored to be a part of such an elite group, and yet humble about his time he spent serving this great Country.
These veterans who survived Pearl Harbor are living history, and we shall never forget their service to this Country!
Thank you Will, and to all the American Servicemen, living and dead. We owe you a debt of gratitude that shall never be forgotten!
With heartfelt gratitude and sorrow for the American lives lost on this "Day of Infamy."
I'm headed off to my local precinct to cast a ballot for Suzie Terrell, hopefully the first Republican Senator from the state of Louisiana since Reconstruction.
Thanks to all veterans for making this possible.
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