Dear Editor,

On Sunday, citizens are encouraged to take a moment to Remember Pearl Harbor! The attack, “a date which will live in infamy,” as expressed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, was indeed a day that changed America and the world.

Before the attack, there was concern by the United States over Japan’s aggressiveness to overtake more and more territory. In fact, the U. S. had placed an embargo on shipping metal, steel and oil to Japan. Negotiations between the countries were taking place but most Americans believed any Japanese attack would probably be on the Dutch East Indies.

The attack, Dec. 7, 1941, on Pearl Harbor, did indeed, as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto the attack’s planner predict, “awaken a sleeping giant and instilled in him a terrible resolve.” The United States declared war on Japan on Dec. 8 and three days later, after Germany and Italy declared war on America, we reciprocated; putting our country at war in the Pacific and in the Atlantic.

Even with the devastation from the Pearl Harbor attack, the United States was able to rebuild and become the greatest nation in the world.

Members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 15 will sponsor a Pearl Harbor Day program on Sunday at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post No. 15 Home. The public is invited. Those citizens who purchased a flag for Veterans Day to honor or remember a veteran are reminded to attend the program to receive the flag.

 

Betsey Lee Hodges, President

American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 15