In honor of our American soldiers and civilians who died at Pearl Harbor 68 years ago today, I want to share a few actual photographs taken during the attack. I borrowed the photos from the Emerson Kent web site, which is a comprehensive world history research site. They are truly incredible pictures, and you can click on them to enlarge them, if you'd like.
Several years ago, we were fortunate to be able to visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, and it is a very impressive and somber sight to behold. Here are a few of the pictures I took while we were there:
The man on the right in the picture below is my daddy. Just look at how respectful he's standing, as he looks out across the water at one of the monuments, probably thinking of where he was that day and of the friends he lost. He served in the Navy and, thankfully, was stationed at Corpus Christi when the attack on Pearl Harbor took place.
I took this picture inside the USS Arizona Memorial. The windows form a "tree of life" which reflects on the wall of names of the service men and women who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor.
I would also like to remember with sincere gratitude our servicemen and women who are currently risking their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.
6 comments:
JANIE, I am also happy your father was elsewhere on Dec 7th. I have been to Pearl Harbor and found it to be an extremely moving experience.
Thanks for reminding us.
Barbara
I wasn't born at the time and my Sis was only 2 mos old but this special day had an impact on my personal life just as I'm sure it did on every Americans.
Thank you for remembering.
Molly
I have visited the Memorial also, and found it to be almost a worshipful experience. So simple and beautiful!
It's so sad to think of that beautiful paradise that is Hawaii, and think of how the the peace was shattered on that feteful day.
Thank you Janie, for compiling and sharing the glimpses of that chilling day.
And my Daddy would be standing exactly like that, in awe and reverence and honor for his fallen comrades.
Janie, what a beautiful, beautiful tribute. I'm thankful that none of our loved ones were there, either. My uncle was in the navy, too, and was later on a destroyer while Mr. Magpie's grandfather served in the medical corps in the Pacific on an island.
XO,
Sheila
You spoke so many of the thoughts and feelings I have had while visitng Pearl Harbor.
We seem to have gone on Sundays when we are visiting the Islands. I feel it is because of the strong reverent feeling that permeates through out the memorial.
Mr B has worked in Hawaii a lot in the past 20 years and we were able to take all of our children several times and then decided for ourselves to go on every 5th wedding anniversary. It was a good decision!
I remember our two youngest sons standing reading each of the names on the wall of the Arizona memorial and one of them had tears rolling down his cheeks.
I also remember the first time of sitting in the movie, we were next to our Japanese neighbors and hearing the sniffles coming from both, them and the Americans.
Last night in our newspaper they did a long story of 4 sailors who were aboard the UTAH, which is the largest ship sunk there at the Harbor. They talked openly of their friends who were never able to get out and the heroic stories of other friends and their own narrow escape. It was so interesting.
I am so glad you posted on this today, Janie!
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