There are curious parallels between Pearl Harbor and 9/11, but the biggest one is the one that got away. 

In the speech below, President Roosevelt illustrates our anger and resolve, much as President Bush similarly illustrated our anger and resolve post 9/11.

What got away is that we kept our resolve in WW2, but in the modern era we have lost our resolve to political correctness, liberalism, and special interest.

In WW2 our nation resolved to win and did whatever it took to succeed.

Now, it seems like we not only have no resolve to win, we actually can't wait to fail.

Go to Hawaii.  Go to Pearl Harbor.  Go to the USS Arizona Memorial. 

It should be required of anyone who wishes to enter Military service.  To stand on the platform knowing how many men were entombed in the waters below you, to see the occasional bubble of oil from the wreckage…I was active duty Air Force when I took these pictures, and I was stunned by the enormity of it.  I could find better pictures on the web for this tribute, but these were the ones I took in 1988, and they remain seared in my memory.

If you want a lesson in the price of freedom,  and the necessity for resolve, then you know where to go. 

Here is President Roosevelt's speech:

http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/fdr-infamy.htm

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:

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 United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

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 believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

 

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, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - December 8, 1941

Others who remember:  STA

Crossposted to LSU

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