Dec 7, 1941

[dan_bgblue]

[BigBluePappy]

President Franklin D. Roosevelt:

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.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our secretary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese government also launched as attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

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. . .

May we always remember, and never forget our heroes from that war...RIP, Dad

[blueboss]

God Bless America!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MickintheHam]

My parents moved from the days of depression to the worry of our family members fighting in the European and Pacific theaters. Most of us can't imagine what life was like. Heroes all.

[suncat05]

The attack on Pearl Harbor was no different than the attack on our nation on 9-11-2001. Absolutely no different.
What separates the two is the response of our nation and it's leaders.
On December 8, 1941 President Roosevelt asked for a Declaration of War from Congress, as prescribed by the Constitution, and war was declared.
When it was determined who attacked us after September 11, 2001 the then President asked for the authority to take the fight to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. This is one of several things that he and his advisors got totally wrong. He did not ask for a Declaration of War like he should have, instead opting for legislation to do everything outside of a Declaration of War. Which flies in the face of his Constitutional authority. What? Just because it's a stone-age cult and not a recognized government we can't and shouldn't declare war against them? AND........ President Bush clearly stated that this was going to take a long time to finish, so why no Declaration of War? They attacked us and killed innocent American citizens, in our country.
There is no gray area there. They attacked us, Congress should have declared war against them. Period. And waged war accordingly.
But no, instead of following the Constitution and obeying prescribed law, the then Administration and Congress chose to act outside of the Constitution.
Just my humble opinion.

[suncat05]

America's leaders, and many of its citizens do not have the resolve or the same desire to defend our country from foreign enemies that our country showed the world in 1941.
We've become, in many ways, a nation of talkers without the will to act in our own defense. Many believe that placating and bowing to our enemies is preferable to protecting ourselves.
Many just believe that we should not even be a player on the world stage.
They're just wrong.