Speaking out: On Pearl Harbor Day

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. President Franklin Roosevelt called it "a date which will live in infamy."

Seventy-one years ago, Japanese fighters executed a devastating surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

More than 3,500 Americans were killed or wounded, including 1,177 crew members of the USS Arizona, which was sunk.

The next day, Congress declared war on Japan and not long afterward declared war on Germany and Italy, too, drawing the United States into four years of World War II.

This week, we posed this question: What is the importance of continuing to observe the events of Dec. 7, 1941?

Here's what readers said:

The world changed

The phrase "Let's remember Pearl Harbor" has faded, as well as the memory of that fateful day, but not for me or my brother Kurt Schnellenbach, for we were there.

We lived at Schofield Barracks, where my father was assigned to the Quartermaster Corps. And the hours, days, weeks and months after that day have always been clear to me.

We became strange refugees, and for several years we were asked to repeat the details of those days, which engraved them on our minds forever.

The whole world changed that day, and I remember it well. ... then and now.

-- Marlene Harris,

Fort Worth

Remember those lost

The day should be observed for the many killed that day and after in the war with Japan and their atrocities toward our prisoners and others.

But remember since the world began, there are good and bad people in countries throughout the world!

I served 18 months in the occupation of Japan, then six months in Germany (Berlin Airlift 1948). I met some good Japanese and German people!

-- George J. Anthony MSGT Ret., Fort Worth

To honor those who served and lost their lives on that awful day.

-- Sandra Shew Campbell,

Denton

Honor the sacrifice

We must always honor those who died at Pearl Harbor. They were the first Americans to sacrifice all, saving the world from the greatest evil ever visited upon it. They were indeed our "Greatest Generation."

My father was a Pearl Harbor survivor, and of all his achievements, I am most proud of him for that. May he rest in peace, knowing that his country will never forget the sacrifices made by these men and women during some of our darkest hours.

-- Jay Sabatucci,

Arlington

Ramifications continue

The modern world was conceived that day, and we still live in its grasp today.

When the unnatural alliances formed to win WWII broke apart after the victory, the world divided into West vs. East, capitalism vs communism.

This division influenced every political decision made for the next 45 years: the Korean War (that was an easy decision); Vietnam; the backing of dictators friendly to the U.S.(the Shah of Iran, Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines); Ronald Reagan's massive expansion of the Navy so the Soviets would bankrupt themselves trying to keep up; not to mention the flight of Europe's Jews to what eventually would become Israel (and all it has brought to the world).

All this because the militarists who controlled the Japanese government in 1941 decided the U.S. Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor would threaten their left flank once the Japanese began their move south.

-- Robert Tate, Fort Worth

Relations progressed

Gratitude for the positive relationship we have today with Japan, in spite of being a world apart with our differences on that day. Observing the progress made since then provides a model of hope for our current-day global conflicts.

-- Allen Praytor, Mansfield

Continue vigilance

We need to continue reminding ourselves not to let our guard down. Our enemies are always lurking, waiting to strike. Honoring our brave warriors never gets old.

-- Manuel Valdez,

Fort Worth

Learn from past

Those who forget the past are bound to repeat it. Lest we forget!

-- John Smith, San Antonio

Build a better future

If you don't know your past it will inevitably become your future. Also to show respect for those who lost there lives on that tragic day.

-- Roy Richards, Arlington

Teach our history

We should never forget the sacrifices made by our servicemen.

That attack got us into the war. It's our history, and each generation needs to know this part of our history.

-- Cheryl Mitchell Rose,

Arlington

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