December 7, 1941 — A Day for Americans to Always Remember
…and reflect
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Empire launched a devastating attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor. Crippling blows soon followed against other targets throughout the Pacific including an invasion of the Philippines.
The attack on Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 Americans — mostly military personnel, although 68 civilians lost their lives that day. There were 1,178 wounded. Nineteen U.S. Navy ships were destroyed or damaged, including 8 battleships — the most famous of which was the U.S.S. Arizona which remains at the bottom of the sea as a somber reminder of what happened that fateful day.
The attack drew the United States into World War II, which would ultimately cost the lives of over 50 million people. It remains the deadliest war in human history.
Americans should continue to remember December 7, 1941, even though it recedes further into history. While the attack may have happened 82 years ago, it’s still real. It’s as real as events that take place today.
We’re sadly losing our World War II veterans at a rapid rate. Fewer than 120,000 U.S. veterans of World War II remain — out of over 16 million Americans who served. My maternal grandfather is among those we lost — having passed away about a decade ago.
