December 7, 1941

Ron61 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 03:25 AM

Many of you weren't even born than so you won't remember this day. But it is a day that we should all remember and give thanks to the many men and women who were killed in the Japs attack on Pearl Harbor.

Darn, put 1951 first. Still asleep I guess.

Ron

427 S/O · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 05:28 AM

I met a Pearl Harbor veteran at a birthday party a few years ago, I hemmed him up away from everyone and he told some interesting stories. He was the first PH vet I had the pleasure of talking with.

Ron61 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 06:10 AM

Perry,

I had the pleasure of talking to one a few years ago and he was on one of the battleships but I can't remember which one. Not the Arizona as he was telling me about watching it while they were trying to get to shore and the oily water and fires. He was burned but not real bad and said he still had nightmares about that day. Like all of the rest of the heroes from World War 11, there are very few left. I believe we only had about 6 here for the Veterans Day parade this year and we used to have a couple of dozen. Even the Vietnam Vets are not as many as they were just a few years ago. Some Will talk about their experiences and others, like my Father, don't like to think about them. He was wounded in Cologne, Germany and I could almost never get him to tell me anything abut the battles and the Normandy Landings until the very last year or so of his life.

Ron

Bill Bess · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 10:36 AM

I was born in 1942 so I can't remember the actual day of the attack, but I remember the period growing up during the war and the all out respect and praise everyone had for our fighting men and women.

We played kid games we called "War" with toy guns..mostly sticks that looked like guns, chose up sides with the best being the GI's because the Gi's always won our battles. The Japs, Krouts, the Guks and everyother slang term we used at the time were always the losers and died.

I also remember laying in my US Navy bunkbed and looking out the window and expecting the Japs to come flying over the Hollywood Hills and start bombing us in another surprise attack. Well it never happend, and of course I grew up and realized that things had changed dramatically for the better.

One thing that has always stuck with me, is how much our people sacrificed for freedom and that we alone (pretty much )saved the world from a far different fate.

I want to give a special Thanks to all the World War Two Vets. and of course to all the folks that have and continue to fight for freedom and our country.
This is the time of the year for reflection, to count our blessings and good fortune and to appreciate all that we have here in America. It's the time to be considerate and help others even if we might need some help too. Just think how lucky we are to have these little hot rods ( Cobras )to play with, and to be able to discuss freely on this sight just about anything we want.

If you find a veteran sitting around somewhere..spend a few moments and learn some tidbits of our history and hopefully find a new appreciation of who we are and where we've been.

Happy Holidays Cobra fans, Bill

trularin · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 10:40 AM

A good post Ron.

It has slipped from the media attention is used to get.

I suppose in fifty to one hundred years, it will be "just a date" as will 9-11.

HI Cobra · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 03:30 PM

Living here in Hawaii for the past 35 years has allowed me to meet several
people, military and civilians that were here during the attack. "Ma" Woods,
the flight instructor that got me my multi rating, was out giving flying
lessons when the attack started and managed to get out of the hot zone ok
with her student. My hat goes off to all those involved. Hope we never forget.

Wes Tausend · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 05:00 PM

...

Good post Ron. I thought about it earlier today and thought someone here might post. This Lounge doesn't forget.

It was a quiet Sunday too, wasn't it?

Yes, we would never want to forget the sacricfices made by so many that day nor those made later in the war. War itself is not fulfilling like the recruitment ads, not even close. Even the guy who never did more than repeatedly freeze his toes standing a lonely guard duty and came home to remark of it, deserves our eternal appreciative respect. For some, guard duty was their very lonely last act.

And just as important, we can never forget the the lesson ...the failed foreign policy leading up to the attack ...the casual attitude towards foreboding intelligence. We should have known and will be more wary. The similar lesson of 9/11 reminds us too, even as they inexorably still began to fade. Better to be periodically reminded in print. Thanks.

Wes

...

Fred Douglass · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 07:54 PM

......I be going there and will be at Pearl Harbor at least twice during the next two weeks! Can't wait. hope top me and greet PH Vets at the Arizona Memorial.

Three Cheers!

bomelia · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008, 09:40 PM

Thanks Ron, I am ashamed to admit it slipped my mind. It has been a long time. Sept 11 is today's generation's Pearl Harbor Day. Both will live in infamy.

Freddie, send reports and pics from the field and have a great trip.

Mike

Fred Douglass · #10 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008, 09:28 AM

...would "clips" entail scanning and posting? Remember I was the Weaps officer on the LAST ALL-GUN Fleet DD in the North Atlantic. We din't have no stinkin' compootahs or missiles!

Some hellacious or untoward reports filter in from Hawai'i-based CC members, but I will assume they have read of my travels (commencin' TODAY!) and have gone to ground!

Cheers and thanks for the kind thoughts!

Sit-Reps will commence following the operation. That is all.....

SP01715 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008, 02:08 PM

I have been to the Arizona memorial twice, and eveyone should go. When you are standing there over the ship it is very emotional.

LudicrousSpeed · #12 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomelia

Sept 11 is today's generation's Pearl Harbor Day. Both will live in infamy.

I think its already been forgotten.

427 S/O · #13 (**permalink**) 12-10-2008, 05:53 AM

Not 5 miles and I missed it %@!#. Aircraft spruce is located nearby and they usually email upcoming events. short story: A guy keeps his refurbished Japanese zero at the Peachtree City airport, about three years ago he was giving some guy a ride and during landing he 'forgot' wheels down. I got a peek and it didn't look all that bad but, the embarrassment was total.

http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view...-pearl-harbor/