In 2018, we recognize the 77th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed across the nation this day in honor of all those who lost their lives serving this nation at Pearl Harbor. There were more than 3,500 Americans who lost their lives or were wounded on that solemn day.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also sometimes referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day. (HT – National Calendar Day)
Regardless of what could have happened or what might have been missed in the run-up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the fact remains that many lost their lives in the first attack that launched America into World War II.
Today, the youngest military survivors are in their mid 90’s and many of those sailors leave for their final port of call each year. Some professional estimates given are that there are barely 2,000 left of the over 60,000 survivors of the attack that fateful day on December 7, 1941. (Source – Washington Post)
Few Americans today could ever forget the historical pictures of the battleship, USS Arizona overturned and burning. On board, 1,177 sailors and Marines died during the surprise attack by Japan. Of those who died, 1,102 went down to a watery grave as the ship sank with their remains.
Sadly, as of 2017, there were only 3 survivors left of all who served on the USS Arizona. Now, in 2018, we are entering the holiday season once again, but we cannot forget those who have gone before. Our country is a very long way from what it once was, but there are many who have died for their country and were never able to go home. Today, we still see the news of those who will never spend another year with family and whose families wait for the bodies of their loved ones on the vast fields of concrete at their nearest airport.
To those of you who gave your tomorrows so we could enjoy our todays, we give our respect and our thanks. Each of you who have served in our nation’s military are the true heroes to many.
Thankful for our Veterans,
Mark Escalera – Cheyenne Realtor
