On December 7th, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked Pearl Harbor drawing the United States into World War II.

World War II took years and cost over 400 thousand American soldiers. It required a national effort that included rationing of gasoline and other items. Americans of the day endured shortages of coffee, sugar and chocolate (thanks to Betty). Paper goods, tires, steel, all were in short supply being consumed by the war effort.

The World War II generation stepped up to fight, and endured the hardships. Many young men couldn’t wait to get into the action lining up at recruitment centers. Young women filled jobs at home in their absence. Winning the war was their goal, and losing was never considered an option, despite fearful bloody setbacks.

That was the World War II Generation, perhaps America’s greatest. Sadly, most have passed on only to be replaced by the Vietnam Generation.

The Vietnam Generation learned what it is to fight a war to lose. Tens of thousands of Americans were sent to battle, but the political leaders of the day didn’t have the will to win. Without the will to win, of course, they lost.

What was left behind? Bitter memories, a wall of names to large to view without crying, and no major accomplishment to reflect on that it might have been worth it.

Those of the Vietnam Generation are in positions of power today. It’s hard to imagine America winning World War II if John Kerry had been President in 1941, and Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean were the leaders of the Democratic Party.

Soon the generation of Pelosis, Deans and Kerrys, the Vietnam Generation will pass from America. Hopefully, their pervasive assumptions that we cannot win a war if we need to fight will pass with them. Those who fought bravely, do not deserve that distinction, and they are entitled our respect.

Today, let us remember those who died at Pearl Harbor, and those who fought on bravely in WW II. Let us also remember those who died on September 11, 2001, and in the War on Terror, a war that history may remember as WW III. Also, please join me in saying “Never Again.”

Read some interesting history about Pearl Harbor Day at the Naval Historical Center, and the Library of Congress.

UPDATE:
La Shawn Barber has an anniversary round-up

1. This Day in History: Attack on Pearl Harbor

   Today is a day we remember and honor those who were killed in the attack.

   Trackback by Donkey Stomp — December 7, 2005 @ 12:18 pm

2. [...] On December 7th, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked Pearl Harbor drawing the United States into World War II. [More] These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]

   Pingback by California Conservative » Remembering Pearl Harbor… — December 7, 2006 @ 10:57 am

3. Some Pearl Harbor Day Wisdom…

   How soon, so many, forget why we are engaged in this war against radical Islam, and Iran!…

   Trackback by Hyscience — December 7, 2006 @ 11:22 am

1. I’m surprised conservative blogs would want to mention Pearl Harbor and our country’s response - it invites comparisons.

   “Those of the Vietnam Generation are in positions of power today.”

   Actually, no one who actually served is IN power today. Much of the DEMOCRATIC leadership served, not the Republicans, except McCain and Hagel. In fact this might explain why the rest of them so need to question the patriotism of others.

   Comment by Dave Johnson — December 7, 2005 @ 7:55 pm