07 Dec 1941

"In the annals of American history, only a few events are so well-known and so deeply rooted in national remembrance that the mere mention of their date suffices to describe them. Of these occurrences, none could have had more significance for our Nation than December 7, 1941. On that Sunday morning... the Imperial Japanese Navy launched an unprovoked, surprise attack upon units of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack claimed the lives of 2,403 Americans, wounded 1,178 more, and damaged our naval capabilities in the Pacific. Such destruction seared the memory of a generation and galvanized the will of the American people in a fight to maintain our right to freedom without fear. Every honor is appropriate for the courageous Americans who made the supreme sacrifice for our Nation at Pearl Harbor and in the many battles that followed in World War II. Their sacrifice was for a cause, not for conquest; for a world that would be safe for future generations. Their devotion must never be forgotten."

Thus the immortal words of Ronald Reagan, honoring those curageous Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice and whose efforts benefit us, even today.

Perhpas the most obvious benefit, even though it has been 65 years, is that we don't speak Japanese...or German...or Italian. One could survey the past 1,000 years of history and easily conclude that the present day would be vastly different but for a few key events. If only that hurricane hadn't struck. If only that secret message hadn't been intercepted. If only that stronger army had prevailed. If only...then perhaps we would be speaking Japanese, or Arabic, or Spanish, ...or even French. But at many of these key moments, God has moved through the agency of courageous men and women, acting in devotion to their God and in service to their country.

It is to our own misfortune that as our generation explores the implications of its own date-driven event, we do so largely absent the contributions and leadership of "The Greatest Generation". But in memory of their devotion, let us galvanize our own wills and act, fully devoted to God and country, and His design that we live in freedom without fear.