Pearl Harobr: A Day to Remember
Honoring Pearl Harbor
By Kevin Mahoney
Many war veterans, politicians, and survivors gathered today, December 7th, 2006, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Veterans of the war were honored in a special ceremony today in Oahu, Hawaii, many of them worried that this will be the last time they will be alive to see recognition given on this day. ''Sixty-five years later, there's not too many of us left,'' said Don Stratton, a seaman 1st class who was aboard the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941. ''In another five years I'll be 89. The good lord willing, I might be able to make it. If so, I'll probably be here. I might not even be around. Who knows? Only the good Lord knows.'' (1). the ceremony included a Hawaii blessing performed from a native island priest, and also a gun salute from the Marines stationed on the island. Although all who attended the event viewed it as a respectful, honorable moment, this does not mean however the lives of those taken were not missed.
The attack on Pearl Harbor took place on a Sunday morning at 7:55 am, December 7th, 1942. The Japanese army’s surprise attack totally wiped out the naval base, damaging or destructing 8 naval ships, and leaving over 2,403 dead. The attack lasted a grand total of two hours, the first wave of planes hitting at 7:55, and the second aerial attack occurring an hour later. By 9:55, the attack was over and Pearl Harbor was left in turmoil and destruction. The morning after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress declared war on Japan. The nation now jumped to action.
Pearl Harbor has unquestionably left a mark on our country. Although the exact facts of that day, and the countless people lost may be forgotten, the reaction of our government, to not stand aside and allow the Japanese to attack us without punishment, but to defend, will not.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Pearl-Harbor-Remembered.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pearl.htm
By Kevin Mahoney
Many war veterans, politicians, and survivors gathered today, December 7th, 2006, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Veterans of the war were honored in a special ceremony today in Oahu, Hawaii, many of them worried that this will be the last time they will be alive to see recognition given on this day. ''Sixty-five years later, there's not too many of us left,'' said Don Stratton, a seaman 1st class who was aboard the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941. ''In another five years I'll be 89. The good lord willing, I might be able to make it. If so, I'll probably be here. I might not even be around. Who knows? Only the good Lord knows.'' (1). the ceremony included a Hawaii blessing performed from a native island priest, and also a gun salute from the Marines stationed on the island. Although all who attended the event viewed it as a respectful, honorable moment, this does not mean however the lives of those taken were not missed.
The attack on Pearl Harbor took place on a Sunday morning at 7:55 am, December 7th, 1942. The Japanese army’s surprise attack totally wiped out the naval base, damaging or destructing 8 naval ships, and leaving over 2,403 dead. The attack lasted a grand total of two hours, the first wave of planes hitting at 7:55, and the second aerial attack occurring an hour later. By 9:55, the attack was over and Pearl Harbor was left in turmoil and destruction. The morning after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress declared war on Japan. The nation now jumped to action.
Pearl Harbor has unquestionably left a mark on our country. Although the exact facts of that day, and the countless people lost may be forgotten, the reaction of our government, to not stand aside and allow the Japanese to attack us without punishment, but to defend, will not.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Pearl-Harbor-Remembered.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pearl.htm
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