Not to worry about going on and on.... We need to tell our stories so the next generation can maybe understand or realize how dear our freedom is.... I was just a twinkle in my father's eye then, but did go with my parents to Brazil at age 18 months, as my dad was an instructor in aircraft mechanics, in the navy, and they needed his expertise... We were there about 18 months and unfortunately remember very little... But I do remember hearing the stories as I got older from my dad and grandfather.... We were fortunate in mainland USA, as to my knowledge there were no land bombings... England suffered terribly with constant air raids... As did many other European countries.... I do remember hearing something about submarines off the coast of California, but nothing about any ship sinking... Unfortunately history has been rewritten over the last 50 years or so and now you can't believe everything you read.... Thanks for your story... Hugs....
Thank you, Sally. I posted a photo yesterday of our family radio, a large floor model Zenith. This is the third time I have used that same picture on December 7. I can see it so plainly. I was sitting on the floor in front of it. Grandpa was in the rocking chair beside it and Grandma was in the rocking chair on the other side of the room. We were listening to the radio - perhaps it was the news - when President Roosevelt came on with "The Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. American is at war." That is the memory of a five-year-old. That child wasn't aware of all that meant but she did learn about rationing and air raid drills at school, and blackouts at night and anxiety and fear. I still cringe when a low flying airplane goes over, my heart beats faster, and I wit for the bomb doors to open and the bombs to come out like in the pictures we saw in magazine like LIFE and LOOK.
I don't know about the articles Gail saw about the submarines off the coast sinking ships because of the lights from the cities. It was fear of air attacks the created the black outs. I'd want to see documentation before accepting what she read. But it all underscores the need to remember and to be prepared. North America is vulnerable.
My Dad was drafted. Because of medical issues he was stateside but not where I could see him. His youngest sister enlisted as an army nurse and was in England and France - closer to the front lines than they were supposed to be. I know I was young at the time but I have very vivid memories. I can only imagine what people my age who lived through this time in Europe and Asia remember.
Thanks, Sally. Didn't mean to go on and on. When my generation dies out who will be left to remember? You are helping to keep the memory alive. Bless you.
You're welcome, Sally. What's really interesting is that the article was also talking about young Japanese citizens. Earlier generations tried sweeping Japanese involvement in WWII under the rug, but the younger generation wants to know their country's history more than their elders. It's a good sign.
Thanks, Gail for letting me know the extra info.... I'm off to read some more... Too bad there isn't more out there for the younger generation to understand why they have their freedom.... Oh well....
I just finished reading a couple of articles in my newspaper, Sally. In it, they also talked about how many German subs were in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Eastern Atlantic seaboard. There were several hundred ships that were sunk (some large, some smaller) off the East Coast, a lot of them near Florida. It said the U.S. was totally unprepared for the subs' attacks, because they didn't have a total blackout of lights at night. The subs could see the ships because of the lights on land that created shadows of the ships. One German man interviewed said he could see the lights of Coney Island, which helped them. After Pearl Harbor, the Americans instituted the blackouts at night on the East Coast. A very interesting read. Thanks for posting this.
I've been gone part of the day, but like you, I had expected more postings/puzzles. I visited Hawaii a few years and made sure I went to visit Pearl Harbor and the memorial there.
Me too, Snooker... It's sad, so few remember and sadder still many are unaware Pearl Harbor ever even happened... It's a different world now.... Bless all who gave their all and heartfelt thanks to the survivors for their sacrifices.... God bless America....
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