Remembering Pearl Harbor: 70 years

By Michelle Malkin  •  December 7, 2011 10:10 AM

Never forget:

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A newsreel of the Day of Infamy:

Five memorials will be held today for “servicemen who lived through the assault and want their remains placed in Pearl Harbor out of pride and affinity for those they left behind.”

Here’s the official White House statement on this solemn occasion.

An old salt remembers:

Ninety-one-year-old Constantine Socrates Savalas stepped on the stage at Los Angeles Valley College’s music recital hall and surveyed the younger faces before him.

“I stand before you as a witness to the destruction of ships and destroyers at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941,” said Savalas, briefly describing the surprise attack by the Japanese that killed 2,459 Americans and drew this country into World War II.

He paused, then sang in a strong baritone:

“There’s a grief that can’t be spoken.

There’s a pain goes on and on.

Empty chairs at empty tables.

Now my friends are dead and gone.”

His rendition of the tune from the musical “Les Miserables” is something of a tradition at the campus’ December music performance workshop concerts.

Savalas, brother of the late actor Telly Savalas, loves to sing and has attended the workshops for 18 years. He always chooses “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” at the annual performance – his personal tribute to the people who died 70 years ago Wednesday in the event that devastated the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet.

God bless our veterans and their families.

***

How the Obama daughters’ private school is marking the day: Asian food feast.

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Posted in: Veterans,War

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Comments


  1. #101
    On December 7th, 2011 at 3:32 pm, Truesoldier said:

    Even you military minded folk have to admit that he did his war really awesome.

    So giving a country over to Islamists who fly the Al Qaeda flag and export missiles to other ME countries so as terrorist will be able to use them against our troops and alies is awesome?

  2. #102
    On December 7th, 2011 at 3:33 pm, Truesoldier said:

    alies allies

  3. #103
    On December 7th, 2011 at 3:38 pm, Truesoldier said:

    Not to mention, the war portion of Iraq went flawlessly. Our forces took the country in no time. It was the occupation that was flawed and has cost much in money and lives.

    I know the facts always get in your way.

    There is also one thing I am hearing about within the military community. It appears Obama has P.O. most of the European militaries by handing over operational control of the Libyan war to them to do the heavy lifting and then trying to take credit for everything when it looks like things are going good.

    No leadership there at all, just an empty suit that lack courage.

  4. #104
    On December 7th, 2011 at 3:50 pm, spaceycakes said:

    Obama did start a war in Lybia

    is that near Freedonia or closer to Sylvania?

  5. #105
    On December 7th, 2011 at 3:52 pm, spaceycakes said:

    (I think it has a ‘thing’ for Truesoldier and Peter Hughes–you guys must really ruffle its lacey panties.)

  6. #106
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:01 pm, bjc said:

    *I became a naturalized citizen on 12/07/07; How the USA responded to that brazen attack, in spite of the great sacrifice and suffering they knew would follow, makes me a proud American today; My focus over the next 11 months is to remove, through the ballot box, the internal threat that occupies the White House!
    *God Bless our veterans!

  7. #107
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:01 pm, Hiraghm said:

    On December 7th, 2011 at 10:21 am, novaculus said:

    God rest the souls of the men and women we lost that terrible day, and those who survived who have since left us.

    What women did we lose?

  8. #108
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:11 pm, DanMan said:

    four years and a week later…

    http://vimeo.com/5645171

  9. #109
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:11 pm, Hiraghm said:

    My 2nd cousin Georgie (as my mother used to refer to him) was aboard one of the ships at Pearl Harbor (I don’t recall what ship, and I can no longer ask her). She relayed his story that they were ordered to pile ice cream around the flag in a vain attempt to protect it from fire. It was make work, just to keep them doing *something* when they couldn’t fight back.

    The Japanese were never popular in my family. When I recognized their lies aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, and their continuation of the war through economic warfare, my distaste for them grew.

    I’ve no problems with Americans of Japanese descent. But, “natural born citizens” of the nation of Japan I will never fully trust or like.

  10. #110
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:19 pm, Hiraghm said:

    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:11 pm, DanMan said:

    four years and a week later…

    http://vimeo.com/5645171

    We usta be somethin’ else, didn’t we?
    (wipes a tear)

    Can you imagine people trying to ride around on fenders like that today? Oooh ticket ticket ticket… no seatbelts!

    And real bathing suits that don’t confuse “naked” with “pretty”.

    And men who looked (and acted) like men.

    God bless that America… RIP.

  11. #111
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:26 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    On December 7th, 2011 at 10:21 am, novaculus said:

    God rest the souls of the men and women we lost that terrible day, and those who survived who have since left us.

    What women did we lose?

    Several women dead among the civilian casualties, but none in the military, IIRC.

  12. #112
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:26 pm, Hiraghm said:

    Nixon bowed over Hirohito.
    Bush bowed over Hirohito’s grave.
    Obama bowed over Japanese Emperor.
    Our troops salute as Japanese nat’l anthem plays over the graves of our fallen at Pearl Harbor.

    At least twice the Emperor of Japan is allowed at the Arizona memorial (but not in chains).

    I don’t see why we worry about remembering Pearl Harbor’s fallen, when we allow our government to urinate on their grave by these actions.

    (And no, the President of the United States, any President, of either party, should never EVER bow before any other foreign leader.)

  13. #113
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:31 pm, Hiraghm said:

    And I don’t care about protocol; I have tremendous respect and admiration for Queen Elizabeth II. But, if I were greeting her as President, I’d offer her a hearty handshake, not a bow. And if there were objections, I’d refer them to my marine honor guard.

  14. #114
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:32 pm, Hiraghm said:

    Why isn’t this thread the top thread, instead of whatsisname’s nomination?

  15. #115
    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:52 pm, Green eyed Lady said:

    Even you military minded folk have to admit that he did his war really awesome.

    I must repeat what I have told you before….

    You’re an idiot, and now, a POS – does someone help you dress yourself, – tie your shoes, button your shirt? – must be someone because you write like a braindead obot zombie – Soros should really try to get a better class of bots.

    The only thing awesome about little barry is his awesome ability to lie.

    It will be awesome to see his azz booted out of the WhiteHouse.

    Ilovemybarryandlarryblow-updolls, this is for you,since you have difficulty writing and reading, let’s keep it on your level, something you are more accustomed to, a cartoon.

    Hope and Change Are Out The Door

    http://biggovernment.com/tobytoons/2011/12/05/wanting-still-another-4-hope-and-change-are-out-the-door/

    Turns out that Hope & Change were code words for Lies & Deception.

  16. #116
    On December 7th, 2011 at 5:39 pm, letget said:

    On December 7th, 2011 at 4:01 pm, bjc said:

    Bless your heart and WE are proud to have you as a citizen. Yes we will try our with all we have to get bho mo out of our house in 2012. If you don’t vote, you don’t have a gripe, IMO.
    L

  17. #117
    On December 7th, 2011 at 6:40 pm, T-Bone said:

    Very somber bit of American History. I only wish we had the national resolve to bring to the war on terror. When other leaders come into the UN and bash the US or the people in Pakstan are 90% anti American, or other countries bail out of Afghanistan or Iraq because of mounting populist opinion, that shows there is a major disconnect around the world.

    I suspect a lot of that is fueled by our own internal bickering where you have Democrats bashing the Commander in Chief with a Bush lied meme during wartime of all things. Those that vote for war only to bash when it becomes politically expedient even knowing that brave American soldiers will lose their lives because of treasonous venom they spew. Those that apologize around the world for the “sins” of America. Those that bash our leaders on foreign soil.

    America is a major force of good in the world. We are also a nation of 300 million people that are imperfect. Every nation has that so to purport our inadequacies as something uniquely American in order to discredit our country is treasonous.

    We need to stand and and speak the truth. We should never be ashamed of the US and we should use every means possible to make our case to the world and counter the vile interpretations by countries like Iran, Venezuela, Pakistan, Syria, and even Spain.

    We are the greatest country in the world that has offered more opportunity and freedom than anyone ever has. We give aid and comfort to billions of people around the world and give them hope of a better future. Our brave men & women fought and died for this country to be so great. It is not a given. Future generations including ours right now will have to fight and die to maintain that freedom in the face of unrelenting pressure from those that seek to destroy us. You are either with us or against us but our values do not change. Right is right, goodness is goodness. America is the land of opportunity and freedom unlike any other country today.

    We are the greatest country in the World and I am so blessed to be a part of it. There is no place I would rather be than right here in the good ole USA. I will not submit and I will not relent to those who wish us to be something else. America, love it or leave it! I pray we continue to have the strength and resolve to stand up and fight for our country and the values it represents in the face of tyrants, liars, idiotic trolls on a blog, or narcisstic celebrities who wish we were some other country. Make no mistake, I will fight for my country whether it be at the ballot box, in the factory, or on the battlefield like those who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor.

  18. #118
    On December 7th, 2011 at 7:14 pm, WaterBoyz said:

    On December 7th, 2011 at 11:05 am, Green eyed Lady said:

    NOVA Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor

    More than half of those killed at Pearl Harbor were on the Arizona. Many are still entombed in the hull. It wasn’t just an aerial attack. This is an interesting NOVA investigation of the midget subs the Japanese employed.

    Dive beneath the surface to discover an untold story of WWII.

    http://video.pbs.org/video/1377494854/

    Every day is A good day to fly the flag and say a prayer for all those who serve and protect us.

    Enhanced your thought.

  19. #119
    On December 8th, 2011 at 1:38 pm, drbulb said:

    What a difference a generation or two makes:

    1941: America is attacked. The American people join together and suffer great hardship to defeat GLOBAL forces of evil.

    2001: America is attacked (with greater loss of life than Pearl Harbor). Liberals BLAME AMERICA and and do everything they can to defeat US.

    2008-2011: Dem/lib/prog/socialists attack America…

  20. #120
    On December 9th, 2011 at 10:04 am, corkie said:

    On December 7th, 2011 at 3:07 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    Obama did start a war in Lybia and finished it for only 1 billion dollars.

    Even you military minded folk have to admit that he did his war really awesome.

    What exactly did he finish?

    Why do you think it’s good to spend $1B to help establish a new terrorist operating base?

    Do you like starting wars as long as you think the price tag is cheap? If so, then you must HATE Obama’s surge in Afghanistan.

  21. #121
    On December 19th, 2011 at 5:54 pm, yaymm said:

    I was six years old on Dec. 7, 1941. I recall sitting by the radio with the rest of my family, listening to FDR’s famous “Day of Infamy” speech. That attack started the awakening of the “Sleeping Giant” that Admiral Yamamoto later refered to and turned out to be one of the most amazing, productive and patriotic times in our history.

    We all got to be a part of it, one way or another, with scrap iron donations, twine and tinfoil balls, War Bonds and Stamps, rationing, anything that would benefit the war effort. But most of all, there were those that served.

    Bless them, for they are a vanishing breed. My how we’ve progressed. That generation laid the groundwork for a far better Nation. Too bad the youth of the ’60′s turned their baacks on them and gave us what we have today.

  22. #122
    On December 19th, 2011 at 6:06 pm, yaymm said:

    ILMC, check out the Debka File for a different slant on Obama and Lebanon. The European Nations are miffed at him because he basically said to them, Let’s you and them” fight this fight. He provided some money and ligistics. We have a couple of Divisions of our men sitting on the Border,(who were simply re-assigned from Iraq) but the Middle Eastern and European Nations have been carrying the ball. They are also not happy that he is taking credit for the success up until now.

  23. #123
    On December 19th, 2011 at 6:17 pm, yaymm said:

    It also occurs to me that there may be some of you on this thread who have been brainwashed into believing we committed some kind of an atrocity against the American Japanese people whom we interned here during WW II. Unless you believe in suicide, you should realize that there were numerous Japanese spies here in the U.S., many of which were ID as such just before WW II, when we broke some of the Japanese Codes.

    Regarding those Codes, some people have perpetrated the lie that FDR knew the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor was going to happen before it did. That’s a lie intended to make us out to be the bad guy.

    He knew they were considering an attack, but did not know exactly when and thought it would be Midway. We were wrong, although we reinforced Midway to minimize our losses there.

    There were messsages between the U.S. and Japanese outlining plans to sabotage our war efforts and to demoralize our population. There was no way to seperate those who were from those who were not Patriots.

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