Reflecting on this day - 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor
OtherDecember 07, 2016
Today is not like any other day. It's the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Most people that serve their country do not sign their name on that dotted line thinking that one day soon they will pay the ultimate price. It's a small thought that crosses your mind, but it's a thought that never prevails. Today, we remember our fallen brothers from the Pearl Harbor attack.
My days are no longer filled with the day-to-day tasks of being a sailor. My days are now filled with routine tasks that do not take me around the world with a mission that may mean life or death. Today, as usual I checked my e-mail first thing in the morning and one of the first e-mails I received is this story from Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Troutman, who works for the Navy Public Affairs Support Element detachment in Hawaii.
His story "Pearl Harbor White Boat Crew Reflect on Significance of History and Tradition as 75th Anniversary Draws Near" focuses on the survivors and active duty military members, who are paying their respects for their fallen friends.
In particular, he mentions that "at the Arizona Memorial, the survivors and their families return to the resting place of the 1,177 Sailors who lost their lives during the attacks on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. Some weep openly, while others pray silently to their fallen friends. Others embrace and share memories of how much the area has changed since they were stationed here, all those years ago. One survivor stands before the wall of names, at the end of the memorial, and points out the names of men he may have known during his time of service. Nearly 75 years after a day that would help define their entire lives, these men came back to pay their respects to those who never lived past that day."
No one is forgotten and no one is left behind.
To read the entire story: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=97963
