I just explained to my daughter that right now how everyone on the planet's live changed for better and for much, much worse.
It ushered in an era of intense technological and cultural change.
Our whole modern world took shape after 07DEC1941. Nuclear power and weapons, rockets, guided missiles, TV guided bombs, radar, employer provided health insurance were just the start. Women found employment, and the call to serve their nation was so strong that some committed suicide because they were found wanting, physically or mentally by the Armed Forces. It was a different time back int he 1940's. America was peopled by those made of a different, sterner, steely stuff. That generation founded one of the greatest success stories and victories in human history.
That generation of the planet earth did amazingly good things, and amazingly evil things. They brought to us industrialized murder. They turned war into an industry, and it never stopped.
Long story short people were people back then. I think it is useful for those of us today to look back on the experiences of those who were alive at the time, and imagine the fear that the Japanese Imperial Naval Aviators must have felt as they crossed the December Pacific from their task force to their targets on Oahu, wondering if the American Navy would be ready for them. Also, remember that right now, the US Navy was enjoying the last, peacetime sleep it would for the next four, long, bitter years that changed the whole world.
It started for us in Pearl Harbor, Hawai'i in December of 1941. We ended it in August of 1945.
We are well served to remember the events of the 1930's and 1940's. I remember and pray that we as a race have grown to the point where a war of that magnitude never visits us again. But knowing humanity as a student of history, I also realize that it will, I just hope that a force for freedom and liberty is around to take the fight to the enemy unflinchingly, and do what it takes to win. In wars of ideology, like the Second World War, there is no second place. Just ask the citizens of Stalingrad, Berlin, Dresden, Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki...
Peace should be the chosen course, but as humans we must understand the lessons of history and the ability to wage war against those who would kill or subjugate us.
Remember, dear friends,
Crazed American, OUT.
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