A day that will live in infamy...... we shall never forget those who were lost that day

We had an excellent program at our Rotary club today. Three of our members were in there late teens and early twenties on that fateful day. Each one of them told of where they were and how it effected them. Each one of them served our country in the military and I can say that I really enjoyed hearing from them. Each of them said that they knew their lives would be changed almost immediately. A very big thank you to all of our men and women in the military who have fought, or currently in conflict, to keep us all free. Remember, freedom isn't free. For those who didn't make it, RIP.

Thanks to all who serve, served and sacrificed so we could and can remain free

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqQA...layer_embedded

Tears for the fallen and those who survived. Followed by the biggest Thank you that I could muster. Their service cannot and will not be forgotten. God bless

Chad Branson
#71

A solemn thank you goes to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor 69 years ago today. You are not forgotten, and I pray you never will be.

I cannot even imagine what those men and women went through that day. Their sacrifices and bravery are what makes this country stand tall above all others. This is the day we remember all of those that lost their lives on that fateful day, but don't forget all of those brave men and women that went before them, and all that have went since that day, in other battles of many other types, to hopefully be in heaven with the thanks from all of us. We are a blessed country thanks to all of those who not only gave their lives, but those whose lives have been forever changed by injury, loss of loved ones, or just plain memories of what they went through. I thank God for each one of them, and that I am blessed enough to have been born in the greatest county in the world!!

Servicemen and women, past present and future:
Thank you!!!

I had a great uncle who was on the Oklahoma that day. He had to swim through burning oil to get to safety. He was a super nice guy, at least later in life. He is gone now, but even so, he is still one of my greatest heroes.

My uncle came through Pearl Harbor 2 weeks after the attack by the Japanese. All he would say was he couldn't believe what he saw, just unbelivable. It was found out he had drafting ability so he was kept behind to help rebuild Pearl Harbor. Later went on to be a draftsman designing fork lifts.

The war ended on Aug 6th, 1945. How many people do you think died and we are not talking soldiers...aproximately 90,000 - 166,000. Then just to make sure America was heard loud and clear another bombed was dropped not on soldiers, but again men, women and children. Like you and me and like the twin towers during 911.

The second bomb killed 60,000 -80,000. It missed its target. The second bomb was dropped 3 days later, Aug 9th, 1945. Japan surrendered. Was it necessary, yes it was, because just like America I know that every Japanese man, woman and child would died before surrending to anybody.That's their culture and that's why 400,000 American Soldiers died in Europe during WWII. Every one of those young boys knew they were not coming back home. They did it for you, me and every other person who calls themselves an American.

It's a heavy price to pay and that my friends is the price we payed so we can go racing every weekend. I wonder how many kids understand this. It's not for free. Somebody paid for it with their lives.

At Peal Harbor we lost 2,402 men, women and children.

The payback was 123 times greater in destructive power with the dropping of 2 atomic bombs on Key, Vital cities in Japan. It was the heart and sole of their country. Just like if somebody bombed Washington DC, like the Pentagon when a plane was crashed into it killing 800 military officials and personnel.

Here's a video of the bombing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rHrV2QhArA


Sincerely,

Larry Otani and yes I'm proud to be American and I know what war is. It's not pretty and the ones we love, die and never get a chance to experience life.