HoodaThunk?

It was 66 years ago this morning that death flew into paradise on wings marked with the imperial sunrise of the Empire of Japan. Pearl Harbor was the event that united Americans on the matter of getting involved in the war and ignited a drive to victory that encompassed virtually the entire country and our entire set of endeavors.

There have been comparisons between the reactions of the American public to the 9/11 attacks and Pearl Harbor; it’s almost worthless to compare them. While there were people back then still opposing any action on our part in the war and the occasional media report critical of America’s decisions, both sides of the political aisle recognized something basic about us. We are, at heart, good people possessed of honorable integrity, strongly positive ethics, and a basic desire to help people to a place where they can help themselves. It is sad that one side of the endless debate has lost faith in that view of America.

On this day, let’s recall the victims of that attack in America’s paradise but let us also recall the victors who rose from those ashes. They fought for a just and honorable cause and they deserve a place in our memories.

(Picture courtesy of the US National Archives.)