This day in history

[Jessie50]

December 7 a day that will live in imfamy. Pearl Harbor was bombed bringing The US into WWII.

:sad0119:
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[The Kitchen Guy]

Towards the end of 1941, the world was at war while the United States was at peace. Slowly, Americans were being drawn into the European war by sending materiel to England on the Lend/Lease program, but American merchant marine vessels were being attacked by German U-boats. American neutrality was in serious jeopardy.

The Japanese, meanwhile, were embroiled in a seemingly endless war in China. Japan's lack of natural resources was a problem. When Western powers cut off all trade with Japan in July of 1941, the desperate war machine made plans to seize the rich resources of southeast Asia.

War in the Pacific was inevitable. President Roosevelt had moved most of the US Navy fleet to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to act as a deterrent to the Imperial forces. The Japanese command saw the US Navy as the only roadblock to their Imperial ambitions.

On Sunday, December 7, 1941, the Japanese fleet launched a massive aerial attack from aircraft carriers. Within minutes, five of eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking. Several other ships and most Hawaii-based combat planes were also knocked out.

http://www.ccdemo.info/PearlHarbor/pearl42.jpg
This image of the Arizona, sunk and burning, is probably second only to the flag raising,
on Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima, in the minds of Americans for WWII.


Over 2400 Americans died in the attack.

The best piece of luck for the Americans, which spelled the eventual doom for Imperial Japanese aspirations, was that the American aircraft carriers were at sea on maneuvers. Had the carriers been in Pearl Harbor, the war might have been, at best, prolonged or at worst, lost.

It's been 66 years since the attack that rallied Americans into a united cause and much has changed in the world. Please, take a moment and remember the Americans who perished on this date in 1941.

http://www.ccdemo.info/PearlHarbor/ArizMem2.jpg
The Arizona memorial today.

[Kami]

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[LiveLaughLuv]

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[FDInLaw]

My great uncle was there. . . Admiral Kimmel. . . he was demoted then later posthumously reinstated by Congress. As Washington's scapegoat, he lived his life in shame. . . sad that they waited till after he was dead to honor him and admit their mistake. :(

Our family visited the Arizona memorial years ago. . . touching place. . . it's heart breaking to stand on what is the final resting place for thousands of men. :1222423:

[Jessie50]

My mother has wondered for 65 years if her next door neighbor died that day.
The family had moved away in October.
I found a list of all that died and he wasn't on it. I don't know if she believes me yet.

[Cornblossom]

My great uncle was there. . . Admiral Kimmel. . . he was demoted then later posthumously reinstated by Congress. As Washington's scapegoat, he lived his life in shame. . . sad that they waited till after he was dead to honor him and admit their mistake. :(

Our family visited the Arizona memorial years ago. . . touching place. . . it's heart breaking to stand on what is the final resting place for thousands of men. :1222423:
you might be interested in this article:

http://users.erols.com/nbeach/kimmel.html

[FDInLaw]

you might be interested in this article:

http://users.erols.com/nbeach/kimmel.htmlThank you! That was sent to me some time ago but I'm not sure if I printed it out for my genealogy binder. :happy0207:


"Admiral Kimmel was not derelict in his duty, but you have been in yours. The Washington military establishment continues to ignore its responsibility to search for the truth in the Admiral Kimmel case. If you had been searching for the truth, we wouldn't be here today. Your written denials lack specificity and clearly show the military has no interest in changing the convenience it's been afforded by having my grandfather as your scapegoat. At no time, at no time has the military shown any genuine interest in finding the truth. Instead, you have perpetuated the largest cover-up in U.S. history. Not only did you keep critical information from the Hawaiian commanders in 1941, but for 54 years you have never told the truth about it. Your inability to accept fault in the Pearl Harbor disaster, despite factual evidence to the contrary, is nothing more, I'm sorry to say, than arrogance. Over 50 years have passed since December 7th, 1941, yet you treat this case like the Japanese attack took place yesterday. You, better than anybody, should understand that to a soldier, honor is above life itself. Yet to my grandfather, you have relegated his memory to disgrace simply to cover up culpability of those who were in command a half century ago.

Admiral Kimmel's memory haunts you and will continue to do so until you do something about it. To suggest to the Kimmel family, as you have in numerous letters, that it's in the best interest of society and the U.S. Navy that this matter be left to the verdict of history is an embarrassment to our country and clearly indicates that the military only wants to protect itself and the status quo. " :1222423:

[FDInLaw]

My mother has wondered for 65 years if her next door neighbor died that day.
The family had moved away in October.
I found a list of all that died and he wasn't on it. I don't know if she believes me yet.

:( Sad that she still doesn't know! :1222423:

[proud irish]

:1222423: ....never forget.

[Pauli]

My father was was at Pearl Harbor, I am thankful that he was one of the lucky ones that came home.. or I would not be here now.

In remembrance of him and all the others that were there
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[FDInLaw]

My father was was at Pearl Harbor, I am thankful that he was one of the lucky ones that came home.. or I would not be here now.

In remembrance of him and all the others that were there
:1222423::1222423::1222423: So are we! :friends3:

[The Kitchen Guy]

Nearly 1.5 million gallons of fuel went down with the USS Arizona. About two quarts bubble to the surface daily which survivors refer to as "black tears." Estimates say about 500,000 gallons remain, guaranteeing that the black tears will continue for decades.

(Assuming that some environmental do-gooder does not find a way to ruin it.)

[Jessie50]

:( Sad that she still doesn't know! :1222423:


I think she had a thing for him.
<gasp> if he lived and the family hadn't moved I might not be me! :eek:

[Cornblossom]

Thank you! That was sent to me some time ago but I'm not sure if I printed it out for my genealogy binder. :happy0207:


"Admiral Kimmel was not derelict in his duty, but you have been in yours. The Washington military establishment continues to ignore its responsibility to search for the truth in the Admiral Kimmel case. If you had been searching for the truth, we wouldn't be here today. Your written denials lack specificity and clearly show the military has no interest in changing the convenience it's been afforded by having my grandfather as your scapegoat. At no time, at no time has the military shown any genuine interest in finding the truth. Instead, you have perpetuated the largest cover-up in U.S. history. Not only did you keep critical information from the Hawaiian commanders in 1941, but for 54 years you have never told the truth about it. Your inability to accept fault in the Pearl Harbor disaster, despite factual evidence to the contrary, is nothing more, I'm sorry to say, than arrogance. Over 50 years have passed since December 7th, 1941, yet you treat this case like the Japanese attack took place yesterday. You, better than anybody, should understand that to a soldier, honor is above life itself. Yet to my grandfather, you have relegated his memory to disgrace simply to cover up culpability of those who were in command a half century ago.

Admiral Kimmel's memory haunts you and will continue to do so until you do something about it. To suggest to the Kimmel family, as you have in numerous letters, that it's in the best interest of society and the U.S. Navy that this matter be left to the verdict of history is an embarrassment to our country and clearly indicates that the military only wants to protect itself and the status quo. " :1222423:

My great uncle died aboard the USS Pringle and my husband was in the Navy,I love History,so I came across this article awhile back.:1222423:

[FDInLaw]

I think she had a thing for him.
<gasp> if he lived and the family hadn't moved I might not be me! :eek:

I was wondering the same thing LOL! My Grandma lost a boyfriend and a fiancé before my Grandpa came along.

[Roamer]

My great uncle wasn't at Pearl Harbor, but was in WWII. He was in a Japanese prison camp for awhile. His hair was jet black when he went in and pure white when he came out.

I never met him, but remember as a very young child going to his Military funeral. I can't imagine the horrors they lived through.

[Battnt]

My great uncle wasn't at Pearl Harbor, but was in WWII. He was in a Japanese prison camp for awhile. His hair was jet black when he went in and pure white when he came out.

I never met him, but remember as a very young child going to his Military funeral. I can't imagine the horrors they lived through.

I cant either Roamer...God bless them all...:1222423:

[proud irish]

My great uncle wasn't at Pearl Harbor, but was in WWII. He was in a Japanese prison camp for awhile. His hair was jet black when he went in and pure white when he came out.

I never met him, but remember as a very young child going to his Military funeral. I can't imagine the horrors they lived through.


That makes me think of my husband. Every time he comes home, he has more and more grey in his hair. Granted, it is sexy as hell, but it makes me sad, ya know?

[Roenick]

That makes me think of my husband. Every time he comes home, he has more and more grey in his hair. Granted, it is sexy as hell, but it makes me sad, ya know?

As long as his arms stay young and hot, I'll be good!

:girl_haha:

My hubby is shaved so I don't know if he's turning grey.



My grandpa was on the Juno (sp?).

[proud irish]

As long as his arms stay young and hot, I'll be good!

:girl_haha:

My hubby is shaved so I don't know if he's turning grey.



My grandpa was on the Juno (sp?).

HA!!! I remember when mine shaved completely bald!!! So weird to see. He's always had such thick hair and it looked strange to see him bald. When he was on this one mission up in northern Iraq, he grew his hair out long and a very long beard. That was a very strange look for him, too. His beard has really gotten a lot of grey in it. He used to have this blonde mustache which looked so unique with his black hair.


And yes, he still has his sexy arms!!

[Cornblossom]

As long as his arms stay young and hot, I'll be good!

:girl_haha:

My hubby is shaved so I don't know if he's turning grey.



My grandpa was on the Juno (sp?).The USS Juneau was the ship the five Sullivan brothers were on! WOW! My husband was on the USS Fulton in 1972.

[Roamer]

It is said, PI. Shows the stress they're under. God bless them all.

http://bestsmileys.com/usa_flags/2.gif

[Roenick]

The USS Juneau was the ship the five Sullivan brothers were on! WOW! My husband was on the USS Fulton in 1972.

I knew there were some vowels I was missing.

My grandpa wears his jacket proud and every year there is a re-union but it's getting smaller and smaller each passing year. He has some great stories!

[proud irish]

You're right Roamy, it is the stress. But he wears that stress well!! :basic45:

[Jessie50]

December 8, 1952

1st TV acknowledgement of pregnancy (I Love Lucy)
:INhouseReading04:

[Jessie50]

December 9, 1985 Phoenix Arizona, gets 3 inches of snow



http://www.brainyhistory.com/days/december_9.html


:INhouseReading04:

[Tempus Fugit]

December 9 1788 - George Washington sold his race horse, Magnolia, to Colonel Henry Lee. Washington reportedly got 5,000 acres of Kentucky farmland, while Colonel Lee got 8-1 odds...

:INhouseReading04:

http://www.440.com/twtd/archives/dec09.html

[Jessie50]

December 10, 1964 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr


http://www.brainyhistory.com/days/december_10.html

:INhouseReading04:

[FDInLaw]

December 10, 1964 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr


http://www.brainyhistory.com/days/december_10.html

:INhouseReading04:
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k04KzgYRKrE


Sing along!!! :s1gyahoo: