"December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy"

“ December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy”


Just off the coast of the island of Oahu, in the Hawaiian Islands, is the USS Arizona Memorial. If you visit this World War II shrine you will learn that 2388 United States personnel were killed and 1,178 were wounded in an unprovoked attack. Twelve US ships were sunk or beached and nine were damaged. On the ground, 164 US aircraft were destroyed and 159 were damaged.

Two governments were negotiating their differences and one decided to choose war. The deliberate, planned strategy was to immobilize the US Pacific Fleet so that the United States could not interfere with the aggressor’s invasions throughout the Pacific.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speech to the Congress of the United States begins: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” The President describes severe damage and loss of American lives. He went on to state that simultaneous attacks were launched against Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippine Islands, Wake Island and Midway Island

As Commander in Chief, the President had no choice but to defend “the very life and safety of our nation.” He stated unequivocally, “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory…I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.” President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war based on the unprovoked, premeditated and “dastardly attack.” We went to war.

Take time to reflect on the events that led to December 7, 1941 and the President’s speech the next day. Attend a ceremony and watch seven men raise rifles to their shoulders and fire three volleys, a 21gun salute. Hear the bugler play his mournful tune, Taps. See the American flag folded. How often has the bugler played those notes that penetrate solemn, earthy stillness and quiet?

See the tears come to the veteran’s eye. What is it he remembers? What has he seen? Which of his buddies’ faces comes back to him as the bugler plays Taps? He does not want his sons or their sons to experience the carnage of war. Isn’t that why he served? Has he shown them his Combat Infantry Badge or his Bronze Star? Has he said anything to them about the horrors he has experienced?

Does your mother have a shadow box containing medals and ribbons of her brother who died after a lifetime in military service to his country? Do you understand the significance of his Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters and his Silver Star?


Our Founding Fathers were armed with the conviction that political freedom is an ideal worth fighting for. Their moral certainty gave them the courage of their convictions. President Roosevelt realized our survival depended on our moral certainty and courage to use our might to defend our freedom. It is no different today. Listen to the bugler. Look into the eyes of a veteran. If we cannot see why we fight for our freedom, and therefore all people’s freedom, we are blind to the graves of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. On December 7, remember that eternal vigilance and the will to exercise our strength is the price of freedom.