Take a Moment to Reflect on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
One of the darkest days in our nation’s history occurred 77 years ago today.
In a surprise attack, Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft launched an offensive against our naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
The relentless attack went on for seven hours. It resulted in 2,403 military personnel and civilians being killed, and 1,178 others injured.
Four of our battleships were sunk. Four other battleships, three destroyers, three cruisers and one minelayer were destroyed. In addition, 188 of our aircraft were destroyed. Another 159 aircraft were damaged.
Honoring Those Who Sacrificed So Much
The following day – December 8, 1941 – the U.S. entered World War II. It would be nearly four years before Japan surrendered to Allied forces led by the U.S.
A vast majority of Americans alive today were not yet born when that infamous day occurred nearly 80 years ago.
But we continue to honor the fallen with National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The official commemoration of this day began in 1944 through a declaration of Congress.
American flags are flown at half-mast throughout the world. Special events are held to honor those killed and injured during the attack. Among the memorials to this event are the USS Arizona and the USS Utah at Pearl Harbor.
Oldest Surviving Veteran Passes Away
There are not many Pearl Harbor survivors still alive from that fateful day. And unfortunately, that number was reduced by one recently when 106-year-old Ray Chavez passed away.
He had been the oldest surviving veteran of Pearl Harbor. Chavez was on a minesweeper named USS Condor when the attack occurred.
Richard Rovsek is a trustee of the Spirit of Liberty Foundation in Rancho Sante Fe in California. Here’s what he said about Chavez during an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“Ray was the epitome of the greatest generation. He was always proud to be an American and proud of the military.”
USS Arizona Survivor Still With Us
One of the Pearl Harbor survivors still with us is Donald Stratton. He was a 19-year-old Seaman First Class at the time. He was aboard the USS Arizona when the attack occurred.
One million pounds of explosives detonated under his battle station. He suffered burns across two-thirds of his body.
Another young sailor by the name of Joseph George was aboard the repair ship USS Vestal. He helped Stratton and others pull themselves hand over hand across a tethered rope.
Some 50 feet below them, the harbor was a mixture of water, oil and blood. After being rescued, doctors ordered Stratton’s limbs amputated. He refused and eventually learned to walk again.
Unsung Hero Receives His Due
Stratton turned his true story into a book titled All the Gallant Men: The First Memoir by a USS Arizona Survivor.
He also refused to forget the person who saved his life. Second-class petty officer George had risked his life to save the lives of Stratton and others.
George passed away in 1996, but Stratton didn’t stop trying to bring recognition to the hero.
On December 7, 2017, George finally received his due. His daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, accepted the Bronze Star Medal on his behalf in a ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial.
President Donald Trump declared, “We will always honor and remember a man whose courage knew no limits.”
Stratton to Be Honored
Colorado Springs, where Stratton lives now, will soon have a memorial to their local hero at the airport.
The exhibit will include steel beams from the USS Arizona. They were donated by the Navy to the Pikes Peak Heroes Legacy Committee.
Stratton was born in 1922 and raised in Red Cloud, Nebraska. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy following his high school graduation in 1940.
After recovering from his Pearl Harbor injuries, he re-joined the Navy and was commissioned to the destroyer USS Stack. He served in the New Guinea, Philippines and Okinawa campaigns in the Pacific from 1944 to 1945.
We’re Free Because They Fell
I would strongly encourage everyone reading this to take a few minutes out of your schedule today.
Quietly reflect on the sacrifice that was made by the fallen and the injured at Pearl Harbor 77 years ago.
Be thankful for how countless sailors, pilots and soldiers have shed their blood through the decades so we might experience freedom in the greatest country in the world.
And pray that something like Pearl Harbor will never occur again.
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i HAVE VISITED TWICE WHERE THESE VETERANS WHEN THEY PASS AWAY, tHEIR REMAINS COME TO THEIR SHIP AND ARE PLACED DOWN IN THE DEEP WATER TO REMAIN WITH THEIR SHIP.
While no fam there that I know of ( Family here 1652 – native American side lost ) family in all wars serve today all branches over the years … Un like today year past I see 9/11 and the people get together and stories of Dec 7th and afterwards a true time of America . a we are one
These precious, precious people gave their all so that America could remain a free place to raise their families and live free. We must Never forget them.
Couldn’t have said it any better. Thanks, Norma!
Thank you for letting the people know of the sacrifices these brave and courageous people made for God and Country and still continue to make as we speak.
My hope is that 12/07/41 is never lost to history, and WE as Americans and other good people of the world pay attention to this historical event and the lessons learned as a result. RIP the members of the military and civilians who lost their lives on this fateful day, or lived with the horrors of it for the rest of their lives. –
Recently I was getting an appointment for a doctor’s follow up, the receptionist told me December 7th. I replied that it was Pearl Harbor Day. She gave me a blank look. Sadly it was a VA clinic.
I remember vividly the Sunday morning Dec 7th when my parents got a phone call to turn on the radio. The President was announcing about Pearl Harbor. From the looks on my folks faces, I knew something was very bad. My folks immediately fell to their knees in prayer for our country. I will never forget that moment. When my son was 12, we visited the USS Arizona memorial. It was so touching to y young son, that he went to the gift shop in the ship we were on and spent every dime of his vacation money on memorials of Pearl Harbor. I pray today for our country, that this will never happen again, and that our citizens will never forget Pearl Harbor and the war that followed. Tell your children and grandchildren so this is live through them to further generations.
I pray today as we remember Pearl Harbor, may God bless our great country and protect us and guide us through the days ahead.
Don’t you just know what a nightmare the Japs would have if they’d won the war???? Only people as stupid as Americans would rebuild the country of the enemy that attacked them and then provide a market for their products. Never forget and NEVER forgive!!!!!
This is beautiful thank you