Sunday, December 7, 2008

A lazy Sunday morning . . ..oh so long ago...

...

No, not today.

But a warm, lazy tropical day two generations, if not more, ago.





...

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Address to joint session of the U.S. Congress, December 8th, 1941

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.

...

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.

...

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our People - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941 a state of War has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.




It seems so ...strange to remember a day when the people of the United States were united in a common cause. When 'the enemy' was so clearly defined, and clearly identifiable. When the national will was so clearly and resolutely fixed on achieving a common goal.


Hopefully it will not require a similar act or a similar conflict to once again draw the many together to meet a common challenge.


God watch over us and guide us into the future . . .and remember the few remaining soldiers and sailors still among us from World War II.


...tom...
.

1 comment:

Mark Baker said...

We had a similar moment and conflict, and all it did was further divid us.