In solemn rememberance: December 7th, 1941

[cowpuc]

Like a lot people in our country today, I wasn't alive at the time that Imperial Japan decided to blindside our homeland on that fateful day. Having grown up in the 60's developing my shooting skills at our local VFW turkey and dynamite shoots under the guidance of groups of "the greatest generation", I did however have the honor and privilege of hearing many battle stories by hanging back and being an avid listener. I personally witnessed grown men, who had served in battle, shed tears for the fallen with their brothers who had also somehow managed to survive the horrors of WW2. The memories of the stories I heard during those teenage years still produce a lump in my throat and a tear in my eyes when I think about them.

The Father of one of my High School sweetheart's had served in the Pacific from '43 thru the wars end, Bob Alsteen was his name. It was thru my relationship with Bob's daughter that the Lord would allow me to gain access to places like the VFW and American Legion and thereby be akin to hearing such sacred battlefield stories - tales that would normally be discussed only between those who had served. I became very close to her Dad during those years - we were friends who actually spent more time together than I even spent with his daughter (probably why she broke up with me).

One day his daughter and I were "home alone" and had somehow found our way into the backroom of her parents home. I am not sure what distracted me from our normal Teenage antics (may have been the neatly folded American flag sitting on an end table) but somehow we got on the discussion of her Fathers service years. The topic having been breached, she opened a dresser drawer and produced a "Purple Heart" medal and Letter of Commendation honoring Bob for his service. Even though Bob and I spent many hours listening to country music (with an occasional "goo goo bar" ad) on a radio station out of a place called Fort Worth Texas while we drank our evening beers after a long day in the deer woods, he never discussed the fabric of the circumstances surrounding that medal and I never asked. Just being in the presence of "One Who Served" was honor enough for me.

I often sat back after "a shoot" and listened carefully to those late night war stories among Bob and his Band of Brothers in an attempt to find out more about his medal. Day and time never produced an answer to my curiosity about the matter but that really has had no effect on the deeply patriotic feelings and love I hold for those, like Bob, who answered the call when their country needed them. Today, 75 years later I stand with those who, in solemn thankfulness, honor and gratitude, remember what happened at Pearl Harbor and how patriots like Bob Alsteen stood for Liberty and protected our way of life.

[BlueSky]

The stories of how we won WWII are the most amazing stories I've ever read. The heroism of the Navy in the Pacific theater is almost unbelievable it's so incredible. The Japanese Navy outnumbered the US Navy by multiples in every category and they lost. I've learned a lot by watching the history channel on tv.

[bongobobny]

Puc, being around the same age, yes, growing up in the 50's and 60's WW2 Veterans were to be highly respected and considered HEROS!!! As I grew up and studied history I remember going to the library in the late 50's and looking with wild fascination at old copies of Life magazine and reading the articles about the war in the pacific. Indeed it was a day of infamy when we entered the 2nd World War not necessarily because of Germany but because Japan invaded this great country by directly attacking our Navy! Now my Father did not serve in the armed forces but many of my relatives did! Most of them did not really talk about it other than saying it was a bad experience. Lucky you to actually have our veterans open up to you!!

 

Yes, humbly remember the events of this day in history...

[Dragonslayer]

My dad and his brother served on the same ship in the Pacific during world war 2 and spent most of their tour at Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. My dad never spoke of the war at all. I can only surmise that since they were both quartermasters that their job involved equipping the men they served with.

 

I regret never having talked to him about his experiences in WWII.