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December 7, 1941. A day that will live in infamy.
Everyone knows (or SHOULD know) that this date marks when the Japanese invaded Pearl Harbor, resulting in 2,390 deaths and injuring 1,178, and, of course, the entry of the United States into World War II. Today was the 65th anniversary of the attack. Not as well known are the gatherings of the survivors, held every five years since that terrible day. Surviving servicemen, women and civilians, bonded together by their ordeal and sacrifice, meet to pay respects to their fallen brothers, catch up on each others' lives, and to remind us of the human part of that tragedy. But today I read of yet another tragedy. The survivors, their numbers dwindling, their health and abilities failing, might mark this as their last gathering.
I really choked up on hearing that. With most of those people in their 80s and 90s, it's unclear how many will be able to make the trip from whereabouts they live, or if they may even be alive five years from now. While history will continue to recount the events of that day and how WWII changed the world, humanity will eventually lose their direct link to that event. There will be no one left who was there that day. No one left to tell their story. No one to remind us of the horrors. And no one who remembers their fallen comrades.
It will truly be one for the books.
It is now up to us to remember. And more importantly, to thank them for all they have done. Then, now, and in the future.
Everyone knows (or SHOULD know) that this date marks when the Japanese invaded Pearl Harbor, resulting in 2,390 deaths and injuring 1,178, and, of course, the entry of the United States into World War II. Today was the 65th anniversary of the attack. Not as well known are the gatherings of the survivors, held every five years since that terrible day. Surviving servicemen, women and civilians, bonded together by their ordeal and sacrifice, meet to pay respects to their fallen brothers, catch up on each others' lives, and to remind us of the human part of that tragedy. But today I read of yet another tragedy. The survivors, their numbers dwindling, their health and abilities failing, might mark this as their last gathering.
I really choked up on hearing that. With most of those people in their 80s and 90s, it's unclear how many will be able to make the trip from whereabouts they live, or if they may even be alive five years from now. While history will continue to recount the events of that day and how WWII changed the world, humanity will eventually lose their direct link to that event. There will be no one left who was there that day. No one left to tell their story. No one to remind us of the horrors. And no one who remembers their fallen comrades.
It will truly be one for the books.
It is now up to us to remember. And more importantly, to thank them for all they have done. Then, now, and in the future.
