Pearl Harbor -- The 80th Anniversary

 



Eighty years ago today a force of Japanese naval bombers hit Pearl Harbor, in the territory of Hawaii, drawing the United States into World War II. Thousands died that day, and many thousands more would die in the years to come. Franklin Roosevelt called it a "Day that shall live in Infamy." Unfortunately, this would not be the last day of infamy to strike our world. As we pause to remember that infamous day, it is good to consider that those who were there, and who survive to this day, are in their late 90s and perhaps over 100. Before long there will no longer be witnesses of that day living among us. Therefore, it is important that we remember their stories so that they are not forgotten.

This past Sunday, we lit the Peace Candle, the second Advent Candle. It stands as a sign of hop, but as of yet, war is not something our species has overcome. Even today, the Presidents of the United States and Russia are having a conversation about a Russian troop build-up on the Ukraine border. Thus, we have not figured out how to turn our swords into plowshares. 



I have visited Pearl Harbor twice, and on both occasions, I visited the Arizona Memorial. The first visit was with Cheryl and the second was with both Cheryl and Brett. On the second visit to Pearl, we also visited the U.S.S. Missouri. It was on this battleship that the Japanese surrender was signed. In the picture above you can see the Arizona Memorial from the deck of the Missouri. 

At the top of the post, you will find the memorial to those who died that day on the Arizona/ These names represent those who are entombed in the waters below the memorial.  Below is what remains of one of the stacks. 




During my ministry in Lompoc, I had a parishioner who was a survivor of the Arizona. I heard his story. He was fortunate that day, but many of his shipmates were not. A few years later, near the conclusion of the war, my father would serve in the Navy. (see picture below).  


When you go out to the Arizona Memorial you may get, as I did, especially the first time I visited, an eerie sense about this place. . If you pay attention, and keep quiet, you will sense that this is a sacred place. It is a call to remember those who died in the war, much like the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. 

I share once again, as I did on the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, a few pictures from our 2002 visit. May this reflection and the photos serve as an invitation to join with me in remembering those who died that day. As we remember, may also pray that we would learn how to keep from repeating the past so that peace might reign. 

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