Pearl Harbor

jd50ae

I worked in some buildings that had anti-aircraft mounts on the roof.
What was in the 2 story basement were pure bomb shelters.

Every year I watch the documentary programs and any new footage.

I have been doing this for years.
But I never asked my family what it was like. Of course all the men enlisted, and the women put forth their best smiles as they went.

Some years back I finally asked, a gathering of some sorts attended by a lot of "elders".
Every person said the same thing, "We were scared" some added "Really Scared".

Have you ever asked?

Echambers

My grandfather transferred back stateside from Pearl Harbor on the 5th. He never really talked about it with me but understand he carried a lot of survivor guilt with him the rest of his life.

Sleddog46

There is a show on The History Channel tonight from 9 - 11 about survivors talking  about the attack.

Echambers

FDR's draft speech:

Diver43

True American Heros

Amos_Umwhat

I think I've told this before, but, my Uncle was assigned to the Arizona.  He was on Shore Patrol, dragging passed out sailors out of bars and stacking them in the back of a jeep to take them back to the ship.  One minute they were dragging a guy out of the bar, the next minute the air was full of planes, smoke, and "thunder".  

At about this point in the story he'd get misty eyed, and quiet.  Normally, he was anything but quiet, so that always said a lot to me.