A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,114]

I had an opportunity which many never have and will never have. December 7, 1941 my Aunt Mae was at her home in Manoa Valley HI, it was a Sunday and she was not teaching school that day. At the same time, a relative of mine with the last name of Anderson (my great grandmothers maiden name) was on the U.S.S. Arizona.

It was 1981, I visited my Aunt in HI for the first time. I wanted to go to Pearl Harbor with her, but she said no, that she had never gone. As we spoke, she watched the planes fly over her house on their way to Pearl. She heard the explosions, and even screaming. She heard the siren's of the emergency workers, and she watched in horror as the events of that day unfolded. As she talked about the day, she began to cry and told me that she could not continue, and I didn't ask her to. She ended the conversation with, "speaking with the children the next day was the hardest thing she's ever done".

With this personal account told to me, I visited the memorial later that day. On the wall was several sailors with the last name of Anderson and according to my mother, I am related to one of them. I watched the movie, listened to my Aunt and visited the memorial, and today all these years later, it remains important.

[AMC RULES 36,941]

Thank you Karl.

[Rooster 191]

Thanks for the story Karl.

May we all remember the most tragic lesson learned that day. If we don't take the fight to them, they will bring it to us!

God bless all who gave.

[whfan74 2,015]

Karl,

I have had the unique opportunity to attend the memorial as well. It is powerful, moving, and intense all at the same time. So many times we forget to pass on that very important history to our younger generations.

While my father is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I purchased a flag that was flown over the memorial with a certificate of authenticity. He now has that flag proudly displayed in his shadow box of medals.

[bk-scouter 93]

Thanks for sharing Karl.

-BK

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,114]

If you are a past or present member of the armed services and do not have your insignia assigned to your profile, click the above link and give us your information and thank you for serving!

[stevasaurus 22,229]

Great movies on AMC all day today. Always good to remember a day that should never be forgotten.

Thanks for sharing that Karl...water in my eyes.

[Sparky-(Admin) 19,444]

I work at Pearl Harbor a few times a year and there is an area that civilians cant get to that was where the fighter planes were parked. There are still tie down "cleats" in the concrete. You can the the strafe marks (spelling?) in the concrete where the Japanese fighters were firing on the parked planes. Its a historical spot and no construction, demolition or modifications can be made.

It's a very moving experience to put your hand on the bullett marks in the concrete.

Mike..........