On Pearl Harbor Day, Dec 7th, In Remembrance
Around the world, military and civilian alike pause to remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor, HI on December 7, 1941. A day that will live in infamy has been recounted in books, in film and ceremonies. Today, Pearl honors the 120 survivors that recall their experiences, as if it were yesterday.
The Associated Press reports about sailors, who were heroes on that day. I’ve spoken with survivors who told of leaving their normal duties behind to take up the task of defending the ship. See Audrey McAoys’ article on the ceremonies and survivors as they gather at Pearl Harbor’s Visitor’s Center overlooking the floating remembrance of the Arizona Memorial.
As a Navy chaplain, I conducted a number of ceremonies on the Arizona Memorial. Standing before the wall of etched names of those who perished, my throat would tighten and my eyes would grow moist. For every name inscribed, a long list of family and friends, who lost someone special, exists. An aura of pain and trouble pervades the Memorial. Such loss leaves its mark.
Arizona Memorial
Today, we commemorate those who died and celebrate those who survived.
Many tell stories of those who were in transit to and from their posts, on the way to church, reporting for duty or relaxing on a Sunday morning. Each was called to heroism when the sirens blasted their ominous call.
I remember during my tours of duty, a few of my church services were interrupted by similar sirens when we practiced General Quarters, because the Commanding Officer reminded me Pearl Harbor Day was on a Sunday. The base was bombed as many were heading to church or already there.
Readiness. A lesson learned.
Tragedy makes us great or brings out the worst in us. Very few lie in between the extremes when the adrenalin pumps into our bodies, and we experience the fight or flight syndrome.
We honor the heroes who stepped up to the task to defend their country. For the many families who lost loved ones that day, the impact is long reaching. All the what-ifs surface.
But we can’t live with what ifs. We can only deal with what we have right now. A day, like today, should remind us to appreciate what we hold dear and never let anger or indifference prevent us from reconciling.
Imagine a world where we treat each other with respect and speak with integrity and truth. Let us honor those who believe differently than we, while cherishing our own beliefs. Someday, God will enlighten us that our self-righteous attitudes and arrogance led us to harm, but Love will bring us home.
Be your very best self, for your own sake, if not for others. Be your own hero.
