FILE – In this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo, the destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (AP File Photo)

“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” – George Santayana 

On December 7, 1941 at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian time, in a surprise attack, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory. During the attack all 8 battleships were attacked and 4 were sunk. 2,035 Servicemen were killed and 1,143 wounded. All the Americans that were killed or wounded during the attack were noncombatants, since there was no State of War when the attack occurred. 

All the battleships were able to be raised except for the U.S.S. Arizona which still lies on the bottom of the sea. 

The day after the attack, Roosevelt delivered his famous Infamy Speech to a Joint Session of Congress, calling for a formal declaration of war on the Empire of Japan. Congress obliged his request less than an hour later. On December 11, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, even though the Tripartite Pact did not require it.  Congress issued a declaration of war against Germany and Italy later that same day. 

Attack on the World Trade Center September 11, 2001 *AP

(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor)

Perth Amboy Public Library had a speaker in December 2017 by the name of Charles “Charlie” Wiley. Wiley gave a lecture about his experiences during World War II. He could not emphasize enough the American spirit when lines were around the block at 4:00 a.m. to sign up to serve in the military to defend our country. He also stated that they concentrated on getting their job done in spite of the dangers. 

Many young men lied about their age so they could serve. Many women served as WACS, WAVES or WASPS. 

9-11-01 was one of the most devastating days the United States has ever seen. The attacks killed 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others. Immediately after 9-11-01 happened, many young men and women joined the military to help defend the United States because of these attacks.

Since 2001 as time has gone by there have been less young men and women joining the military. This has caused those who are serving now to be redeployed due to lack of available personnel. 

We live in the moment and that moment becomes a faded memory until we are woken up again. C.M. & K.M.

An aerial view of the USS Arizona Memorial with a US Navy (USN) Tour Boat, USS Arizona Memorial Detachment, moored at the pier as visitor disembark to visit and pay their respects to the Sailors and Marines who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.