You Will Not Be Forgotten

December 7th, 1941 a day that will live in infamy. 77 years ago the Japanese attacked the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which led to America entering into World War II. As I reflect on this day I can’t help but be reminded of how frightening this was for so many, forever altering their lives - some even paying the ultimate price. 

“The USS Arizona memorial-the resting place of 1,102 sailors who lost their lives in the attack”

I’ve had the privilege of visiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial a few times, but my first visit had the most impact on me. I was around 10 or 11 at the time, and we had just boarded a small boat that ferries you out to the USS Arizona memorial-the resting place of 1,102 sailors who lost their lives in the attack. As we were preparing to leave the dock, an older gentleman in a wheelchair was wheeled on to the boat. He was a survivor of that fateful day in December and was visiting the memorial for the first time since the attack. I knew right away this was going to be an experience for everyone on board. When we docked at the memorial a solemn reverence came over everyone. I stood there watching this man relive that day, the emotion of what happened held thick in the air. I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed. As I stepped back onto the boat, I realized I had just experienced something special. I had traveled back in time, seeing through the eyes of someone who witnessed it first hand.

Thank you to all the men and women, wives and husbands, sons and daughters, past and present, who fought and gave their lives for freedom. You will not be forgotten.