Posted by
celtic-dragon on Thursday, December 07, 2006 3:20:19 PM
65 years ago today, on a clear Hawaiian morning, aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy suddenly and deliberately attacked United States warships at Pearl Harbor, and facilities and aircraft at Hickam Field. The damage was overwhelming. 6 battleships, the West Virginia...Tennessee...Arizona...Nevada...Oklahoma...and the California were sunk or seriously damaged. The Arizona sank in only 9 minutes, leaving most of her crew forever entombed inside her. Half of our aircraft on the island were wrecked, and fully one half of our navy was out of commission. At the same time, strikes were also directed against the Philippines, Malaya, Hong Kong and elsewhere.
The Allies reeled for weeks. The British lost much of their colonies, as well as the cruiser 'Repulse' and the battleship 'Prince Of Wales'. Nonetheless, determination was set, and our fury was matched by our resolve and unity. Within two years, Yamamoto, the mastermind of Pearl Harbor (and an advocate of NOT going to war) was dead-shot down by U.S P-38 Lightning fighters. From Truk Lagoon, to Leyte Gulf and the San Bernardino Straights, the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army wrought a terrible vengeance that was finally realized in full with the immolation of the Japanese homeland.
Today, we stand a mere 5 years from a catastrophe so grievous in nature that comparisons To Pearl Harbor are valid and common. Yet, our spirit of unity and resolve is broken. All of us bear responsibility. None can escape blame. While we scream epithets and hate at each other, our enemies wax ever more powerful. When we demonize our opponents, our enemies smile. A house divided will not stand, and our divisions are apparent to all. If there is a prayer for today, let it be a petition to God that we may heal our own discord and find the strength and resolve to carry on with purpose. Let us all pray for the strength to walk and not be weary, and to run and not be faint. Let us find forgiveness for one another, and let us pray that our enemies plans will be confounded, and that our foes be thrown into confusion. Let us pray for the men and women who are in harms way at this very moment, for they are truly holding the forces of darkness at bay. Let us remember the sacrifices made by so many on this day, and may they never be forgotten.