Pearl Harbor, 1941

71 years ago today the United States of America was thrown into World War II as a result of the  surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces. Hundreds of men were killed or trapped in the wreckage of naval ships that were ripped apart and sunk by the bombs of Japanese planes. Thousands of American citizens sat listening to their radios in awe. Hundreds of military and political leaders were scrambling to gather information and make plans for next steps. 

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." While in the Pacific after the attack was deemed successful by Japanese military leaders, Admiral Yamamoto said, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Little did he know how true his words would be. 

My Grandpa Holley fought in the Pacific during World War II after Pearl Harbor happened. He was a radio man on one of the islands and spent his days decoding messages. I realized today that I never asked my Grandpa to tell me stories of his time in the Navy and in the war. I am not sure if he would have told me anything, seeing as how young I was. But I still never asked. 

I have my Grandpa's Veteran of Foreign War coat. I wear it every now and then, usually when I am really missing him. And every time I put it on, I usually wonder about that war. About the island where my Grandpa spent his days working. About the hours of prayer my Grandma would have committed to while he was gone. Every time I put that coat on, I wonder about the other men who served and those who never got to see the war end. 

71 years ago today, the world changed. The United States of America entered a war and showed just how powerful a country it can be. Sometimes I wonder what happened. I wonder where that courage went. Where that support and love for our men (and now women) in uniform went. Where that commitment to justice went. 71 years ago today, the world changed. Japan awoke a sleeping giant and the day lives in infamy. But where is the United States of America from that day? From that era? Will we ever see anything like it again?