My husband and I went to Pearl Harbor last year. I didn't expect the emotions to surface as they did. I'm only 47 and obviously wasn't even alive during those years. But, I did grow up hearing my Dads navy stories of those times. My son teaches in Japan every summer and we have Japanese students live with us quite often while finishing their education here in Washington State. It's quite interesting to hear them describe the trama to their families after we bombed Japan. Most of their families were completely in the dark about the war and what their government was doing but yet they lost their lives and loved ones. War is AWFUL for all sides concerned and innocents are always affected. Sometimes we forget about the other Moms, Dads, Sons & Daughters. Sorry for the soapbox. December 7 always brings bad things to our friends here in the states. Too many people with too much hate.

My Dad was a Pearl Harbor surviver. Your post sent shivers down my spine as today would have been his 81st Birthday. I felt my Dad said 'hello' from the other side. Thank you Debbie!
Have a very Merry Christmas.

The Memorial is awe-some in the truest sense of the word --- I reenlisted twice at there when my ship transited through Hawaii. Reenlistments happen at 8 in the morning and we get to hear colors played on the carilon that is there. Something that no else gets to hear.