Trav's Thoughts

It's December 7 and my Thursday 13 is in remembrance of:

1. My grandfather, who lied about his age so he could join the Merchant Marine.

2. The 1,177 men who went down with the USS Arizona.

3. The additional 1,158 service personnel killed during the attack.

4. The 68 civilians killed during the attack.

5. The 1,178 military personnel and civilians wounded during the attack.

6. Rescue and medical personnel who braved oil slicks and searing heat to pull victims to safety and render first aid and comfort.

7. The numerous and varied acts of heroism above and beyond the call, such as Ship's Cook Third Class Dorie Miller USN, who carried many of his wounded shipmates to safety and attempted to rescue his mortally wounded Captain. Then he manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun for which he had never been trained.

8. The crew of the USS Nevada, who managed to get their battleship underway during the attack and tried to steam out of harm's way, ultimately running aground in order to avoid being sunk in the middle of the harbor.

9. The pilots and service crews who were able to get a few P-40's and P-36's off the ground from Haleiwa airfield. These planes engaged enemy aircraft and shot down as many as 11, losing 4 of their own.

10. Navy and civilian salvage crews, who worked for more than 20,000 hours on over 5,000 dives. Their efforts helped put 11 ships back into service from 1942 through 1944. They were also able to re-float 4 sunken battleships, which were ultimately returned to service and saw action against Japan later in the war.

11. All veterans of the Pearl Harbor attacks. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16081690/

12. To all who performed above and beyond the call in the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, and in the subseqent days leading to August 15, 1945 when Japan surrendered and World War II came to an end, I offer my deepest respect and gratitude.

13. "Yesteray, December 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." Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Congress, Dec 8 1941.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm