Hey...
Today is a rough day for many Americans and Firefighters, even if you didn't realize it. While some others might barely remember why, we remember. If you were around on Dec. 7, 1941, you will definitely never forget what the date means and how it impacted our nation. Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Remembering the attack at Pearl Harbor is directly remembered by fewer each year...as the "greatest generation" continues to pass on. The attack on Pearl Harbor left a toll of 2,388 dead and 1,178 wounded...including Firefighters (read on)....and pushed the United States into World War II.
We had a chance to again visit Pearl Harbor just a few weeks ago-and it is clear that in Hawaii, the attack and those who lost their lives, has NEVER been forgotten. We were privileged to see Pearl Harbor through the private words and eyes of a wonderful and very proud Federal Fire Department (Hawaii) Battalion Chief...who, when showing us around, continued to use the words "OUR history" and "OUR Nation"...his message was clear to us. Pearl Harbor happened to us. Everyone of us.
It's 2007 and we are at war now as well. In WW2, it wasn't just the soldiers who went to war-EVERYONE got involved and made a difference to protect our Country-and defeat the enemies. Today we need to remember those who served, those who were lost and those who survived the attacks in 1941. We must keep their memory alive as a reminder that they paid the highest price for OUR freedom. And we also must remember the young women and men who are serving overseas-today-right now as you read this stuff, they are serving you and I.
During the Pearl Harbor attack. 3 Engine Companies of the Honolulu (Hawaii) Fire Department, (Engines 1, 4, and 6) were dispatched to fight the fires caused by enemy attack. HFD Fire Captain John Carreira, Captain Thomas Macy and Hoseman Harry Pang all gave their lives in the Line of Duty. 6 other Firefighters were wounded while fighting fires at Hickam Field: Fire Lt. Frederick Kealoha, Hosemen Moses Kililikani, John A. Gilman, Solomon Naauao, Patrick McCabe and George Correa. All of these Firefighters were awarded Purple Hearts and became the only civilian Firefighters in the U.S. to do so.
Freedom includes the right to feel what you wish regarding our current military deployment. But either way and no matter what, we must very aggressively and proactively protect our freedom from attacks by the known and unknown enemies. The enemies who plan and would love to take it away from us...and would do so in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, those who hate what we have, what we stand for, what we believe in and how we live as Americans, offer us no options.
Today is a rough day for many Americans and Firefighters, even if you didn't realize it. While some others might barely remember why, we remember. If you were around on Dec. 7, 1941, you will definitely never forget what the date means and how it impacted our nation. Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Remembering the attack at Pearl Harbor is directly remembered by fewer each year...as the "greatest generation" continues to pass on. The attack on Pearl Harbor left a toll of 2,388 dead and 1,178 wounded...including Firefighters (read on)....and pushed the United States into World War II.
We had a chance to again visit Pearl Harbor just a few weeks ago-and it is clear that in Hawaii, the attack and those who lost their lives, has NEVER been forgotten. We were privileged to see Pearl Harbor through the private words and eyes of a wonderful and very proud Federal Fire Department (Hawaii) Battalion Chief...who, when showing us around, continued to use the words "OUR history" and "OUR Nation"...his message was clear to us. Pearl Harbor happened to us. Everyone of us.
It's 2007 and we are at war now as well. In WW2, it wasn't just the soldiers who went to war-EVERYONE got involved and made a difference to protect our Country-and defeat the enemies. Today we need to remember those who served, those who were lost and those who survived the attacks in 1941. We must keep their memory alive as a reminder that they paid the highest price for OUR freedom. And we also must remember the young women and men who are serving overseas-today-right now as you read this stuff, they are serving you and I.
During the Pearl Harbor attack. 3 Engine Companies of the Honolulu (Hawaii) Fire Department, (Engines 1, 4, and 6) were dispatched to fight the fires caused by enemy attack. HFD Fire Captain John Carreira, Captain Thomas Macy and Hoseman Harry Pang all gave their lives in the Line of Duty. 6 other Firefighters were wounded while fighting fires at Hickam Field: Fire Lt. Frederick Kealoha, Hosemen Moses Kililikani, John A. Gilman, Solomon Naauao, Patrick McCabe and George Correa. All of these Firefighters were awarded Purple Hearts and became the only civilian Firefighters in the U.S. to do so.
Freedom includes the right to feel what you wish regarding our current military deployment. But either way and no matter what, we must very aggressively and proactively protect our freedom from attacks by the known and unknown enemies. The enemies who plan and would love to take it away from us...and would do so in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, those who hate what we have, what we stand for, what we believe in and how we live as Americans, offer us no options.
Need a reminder? Go here...quickly:
The following are some excellent links with video related to remembering December 7, 1941.
http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/
http://www.nps.gov/archive/usar/ExtendWeb1.html
http://plasma.nationalgeographi
http://www.nps.gov/archive
Take Care-BE CAREFUL and our thanks to ALL who have served and are serving OUR Country in our Armed Forces and Military/Federal Fire & Rescue Services.
BillyG
The Secret List 12-7-07 / 1027 hours
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