Many of us had yet to be born as the quiet and still morning arrived in Oahu, Hawaii. Our military forces were enjoying some lazy time as war raged on in Europe. Discussions of Hitler and the advance of his army across the entire continent were had. Talk of our country entering the war as allies to France and England was amongst the chatter.

Miles away a naval fleet edged closer to the small chain of islands, aircraft carriers among them, loaded to the hilt with planes and ordinance. In darkness squadrons of torpedo planes and dive bombers left the decks to form a massive assault on the small sleeping harbor that nestled the American Pacific Fleet.

As morning broke and the sailors’ soldiers and marines awoke, or selfishly laid in their bunks a humming buzz started to be heard. The townspeople of Waikiki Honolulu, and the other small villages of Oahu also heard the noise. Many of the residents were getting ready for a Sunday morning church or other events. One island woman recalled that she was preparing breakfast. Air raid stations were not manned, portions of the bulky ships in port had their crews on liberty. Nobody thought defense was needed so far from the battlefields in Europe.

The buzz became louder, it turned to a growl as waves of Japanese Imperial Navy planes arrived low in the skies hiding before the rising sun. They quickly and methodically began their attack releasing their armament onto the sleepy-eyed aboard ships moored in Pearl Harbor. Over and over they made pass after pass reeking of their destruction and leaving the port and its defenses in ruin. The city dwellers were not spared the onslaught, as Japanese fighter planes strafed the streets and homes of the civilians there.

Dec. 7, 1941, left an indelible mark on the United States of America. Leading our top executive and Commander in Chief to declare that it would be a day that would live in infamy. It also brought the USA into the mix of what was now another World War. It was a war that would be fought on two fronts by the United States, both thousands of miles apart.

Those born and experiencing this time in our history saw the resolve of America. They saw how such actions against our own people could muster a nation to come together in a rapid effort to build, supply, and fight the evil-doers of the world. To make that commitment with unselfish thoughts of returning a stable peace to the globe.

This effort joined all political party members, it brought flags to the porches of almost every home on the mainland and beyond. Our women who were not yet a part of our fighting force went to factories to build planes and tanks and ammunition. Children gathered needed items to recycle into our military might. People bought War Bonds to further the effort in the most expedient way. There was no other choice but victory in Europe and the Pacific. The atrocities of our foe were rooted deeply in devilish concern. No value or mercy was given to their enemies.

All of this was recorded within the annals of America. It was put on the page with pictures, movies, sound clips and articles. It was stamped for the future generations to learn from. To not repeat such mistakes again. As the generation who lived these days, and fought these battles retires into the earth, maybe they wish for us to remember. Not just Dec. 7, but the many days that blood was shed to preserve humanity.

Perhaps they wish for us to assemble once again with a resolve designed to unite our America under our Red White and Blue and put away petty grievances with one thought left on the table, to be the best, and strongest nation in the world. One that is looked up to, not because we can bully the other nations but because we have an ideal for freedom and value for all human life.

Kirk L. Miller is county commander for the Chautauqua County American Legion 8th District, Department of New York.