A man’s got to do a lot of disagreeable work in this world to chase out the crooks.”
–Ernest Haycox (A Rider of the High Mesa)
“A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.”
–Matthew 12:35 (HCSB)
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At 0755, or civilian time 7:55 am , a low-flying plane was seen violating several safety regulations. Seconds later, Commander Logan Ramsey realized what it actually was–attack. He rushed immediately to the radio room and order all radiomen to broadcast:
“AIR RAID, PEARL HARBOR. THIS IS NOT A DRILL!”
That order came at 0758, Sunday morning, December 7, 1941. Within minutes 2402 lives would be lost in that dastardly, horrendous attack. In the years to come many more thousand would be added to that number. Lamar Underwood stated, “Pearl Harbor wasn’t just an attack, or a battle. It was a turning point in history. From the moment the first Japanese torpedo cut through the water, Japan’s conquest of the Pacific region was doomed; Adoph Hiter’s destruction of civilization was doomed. The price would be high. Pearl Harbor was where America began to pay that price.”
Blood would be required, a severe price to pay–the sacrifice of the lives of many young boys would be offered up to the beast of war to avenge this surprise attack. Shattered would be the hopes and dreams for the future for many of them. Some would be put on hold, others would be totally dashed, unrealized. Everyone would be affected, and to an extent still are today, though there is that faction that would hide the fact and tell the people of the country to get over it as it was 77 years ago.
Those that are still alive will never forget the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt as he addressed a joint session of Congress. Those who are alive today should not forget those words, for they were the beginning of the sacrifice that this nation went through to rid the world of the fascist menace of Japan, Germany, and Italy.
“Yesterday, December 7th, 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.”
The nation unified, coming together in a heroic fashion. Military, industry, and all facets of civilian life came to fight in this noble cause. There would be blood mixed with the sand of the beaches of islands that most Americans had never heard of nor could even pronounce. The sands of the deserts of North Africa, the rocky land of Italy, then France and on into Germany would see the blood of Americans shed.
President Roosevelt ended his speech thusly,
“With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God.”
An oath, a prayer, a declaration? Whichever, or a combination, the enemy would be vanquished. I would tell you to take time and ponder. I would also tell you to research and find out who in your family served in the military during this world conflict. Also find out what your folks at home were doing. Annie’s mother was a bomb inspector.
Blood, so precious, and we think little of it until we are cut, or see an accident, or need a transfusion. Blood, it contains the life. Blood was required to win this terrible war. Yet, it was also blood that was involved in the war with Satan. A war that was fought primarily in the spiritual realm but the blood that was required was real, and in the realm in which we live. Jesus, the Son of God, sacrificed His life-blood for the redemption of mankind. Many Americans sacrificed their lives for the redemption of the world in which we live.
“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.”
–John 15:13 (HCSB)