In 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii killing 2402 and wounding many more. After teaching WW2 from the British perspective while teaching in Kenya, I found this an amazing story in history but I missed a lot of the key points from the US perspective. I won't write a novel here (okay I probably will) but there were so many fascinating aspects of this story such as how everything lined up perfectly for the Japanese, mistakes made from the US control towers, the strategies involved, even the technology they had back then. Then you think about it from the human perspective-I think about the shock & fear they must have faced & the bravery they showed as they did everything in their power to protect their people...I still need to see the movie Pearl Harbor...anyway...
It is so easy to look at history as something that happened to other people but honestly, we would not be where we are today had certain events not taken place. The Japanese were trying to prevent us from ruining their efforts to expand & decided to take a proactive approach thus, taking out our military in Hawaii. By doing this, the US entered into WW2 with a determination, probably similar to our outrage after 911, that helped bring the Axis powers down & eventually ending WW2.
Anyway, I got to visit the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor while in Hawaii...without doubt my favorite thing I got to experience...the Hawaiian ice was a close second :) Sally dropped me off so I got to go by myself, which is something I really like to do if it involves something 'serious'...if that makes sense...thank God she did because I really showed my behind.
While visiting the USS Arizona Memorial I couldn't help but sob (I probably would have been teary had I not been a hormonal wreck that day). I tried to get my act together but I couldn't...kinda embarrassing. Anyway, there was a precious little old man there that was/is a survivor. I just wanted to shake his hand but instead I started sobbing in front of him (much like the time I shook Willie Nelson's hand) & told him how much I appreciated everything he did & continues to do. I'm such an idiot.
One thing I found awfully interesting is that the majority of the people there were from Japan...not that there are hard feelings but I wonder what the US survivors think about that. If I was at a Civil Rights Memorial filled with survivors that were crying, I would feel a little awkward being white knowing that it was 'my' people that did this. Maybe this is just me...I just know that if I were there from the country that did that, I wouldn't be running around laughing, smiling & taking pictures while striking the 'hang loose' sign. There was a very 'fair' documentary we watched before going on the tour. I wonder what they thought of the video we watched: Were they proud of the events of Dec 7th? Were they embarrassed? Who knows...I just wonder about these things...don't send hate mail. It just makes you look at wars we have entered from the 'enemies' perspective as well. Another time I felt a little 'awkward' was when I watched The Patriot in Nariobi, which was filled with Brits...anyway.
I guess Dec 7 goes unnoticed for many Americans but for the men & women that were there, it is probably one of the most important dates of the year. I bet back in the day, Dec 7 probably held a ton of meaning like 911...not sure. Some speculate that the White House knew about the possible attack & didn't warn them...trying to gain US support for entering the war. I don't know-I think that is insane but you never know. All I know is that I am grateful for all the men & women who serve and gave their lives for us.
You can still see some of the oil that is released from the sunken ships. The USS Arizona Memorial sits on top of the Arizona-truly a must see.
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