“Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
With that one simple sentence President Franklin D. Roosevelt thrust the United States in to World War II. Seventy years ago today the Japanese Navy conducted a successful airstrike on the American fleet and air stations at Pearl Harbor and the Hawaiian Islands. 2,390 Americans lost their lives that day. Most of the lives lost were aboard the battleship U.S.S. Arizona, which took a direct hit on its forward magazine, exploded in a ball of fire and sank in a matter of minutes.
Most of us know the story of that day.  The familiar images of the carnage and destruction; the stories of heroism displayed by our men and women; the confusion and the death. It was indeed one of the worst times in our history but I believe it was also one of our best. During this time The United States was truly “united” in a common goal and what was and still is great about this country was on display for the entire world to see.
Today is the 70th anniversary of that attack. Japan, once our most hated enemy, is now one of our best allies. Men who once stood on the opposite side of the gun sight now stand together as friends. The misunderstanding and missteps both governments made which led to the attack have become a part of history not present day politics. That is as it should be. The people of Japan and the United States are closer today than ever before. That too is as it should be.
In another war, on another battlefield a great man once said,
 “ We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”
What was said by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg Pennsylvania on June 1st, 1865 still holds true today. As each year passes the list of Pearl Harbor survivors grows smaller and smaller. Soon all their voices will be silent and we will have only their images and the images of that day to remember them by. But it is important we remember them and their sacrifices and never forget what the price tag is for this country to remain free.
“No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
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