Have not posted for a while, but I could not let the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor go without notice. There are only a small number of survivors of the attack left, and all are in their late 90s or even over 100 years old, and they deserve recognition. As only a minority of Americans, me included, were alive at that time, it really is history.
What is interesting is how things change and realign. Japan and Germany, fierce adversaries in the most destructive war ever, are now our allies. Both have been economic power houses since not too long after that war ended, but have not again troubled the world. China, under Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek, was an ally, but is now United States’ chief adversary. The Soviet Union has been gone for 30 years, but Russia is still, well, Russia. The Soviet era was only a change in style, not in purpose. Tsar Vladimir (who perhaps not so secretly would like to be styled if he could get away with it) is quintessentially in the Russian tradition.
Most importantly for today, remember those who died and were injured in the Pearl Harbor attack eight decades ago. Most importantly, remember, and honor those still around, who were part of the sleeping giant that was aroused and filled with a terrible resolve. They saved us all.
_________________________________________________________
Note: The “sleeping giant” is attributed to Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and is perhaps apocryphal, not that it matters.
