On December 7, 1941, at 7:48 a.m. the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise military attack against the United States of America at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack was a profound shock to our nation and led directly to the entry of America into World War II.
As a military, we lost all eight U.S. Navy battleships stationed in Pearl Harbor, with four sunk. Additionally, we lost multiple other large ships in our fleet and 188 U.S. Aircraft. But most tragic of all, 2403 Americans were killed and 1178 other were wounded. Our Navy was essentially wiped out, without warning, without provocation, and without a declaration of war, acts which were later judged to be war crimes.
As we look back upon Pearl Harbor seventy-five years later, I cannot help but think about America’s men and women who served that day. History holds that they were driven by dogged determination. In the wake of the attack, 15 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Stars, four Navy and Marine Corps Medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal and three Bronze Star Medals were awarded to the American servicemen who distinguished themselves in combat at Pearl Harbor.
Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamanoto said regarding the Pearl Harbor attack, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” He could not have been more right. America came to life as a world power that day.
When I have been knocked down and counted out, I think about that day in our country and it drives me to stand up, swiftly, certainly, and with the same dogged determination that our men and women showed that day. Giving up was not an option for our country, and it’s not an option for me either, ever.
Choosing to stand strong isn’t easy. It takes courage and strength of character. It takes the resolve to stand up and keep standing no matter what the enemy of that day throws at you. It takes sacrificing and suffering through pain to get to the other side and the victory that awaits us there.
Let me say as plainly as I can. Your victory awaits you on the other side of your pain. Use your passion and your purpose to drive you forward today. And when you feel like you want to quit, remember Pearl Harbor.
Beefy Marketing Staff Writer
Carol Jones / www.beefymarketing.com