Welcome to Awakenings

Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

This Day in History: December 7, 1941
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
The Date of Infamy that launched an epic conflict with Japan took place here in the early morning hours of December 7, 1941. The tranquil waters of Pearl Harbor were forever disrupted by the tides of war. The USS Arizona and 1,177 of her crew were among the first casualties of the Pacific War; the USS Arizona Memorial stands above the sunken vessel and her fallen sailors, serving as a reminder of their sacrifice and commitment.

Awakening the Sleeping Giant: WWII
In hopes of crippling the United States Pacific Fleet,
the Combined Japanese Fleet received orders to attack
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and surrounding military targets.
We never saw it coming nor did they in America’s retaliation.
  Across the sea…

The element of surprise
That was the enemy’s plan
While watches were changing
Destiny played its hand
Photo Credit: Naval History & Heritage Command
How could this be possible?
We were center stage
Our ships were mighty forceful
Our men—strong and brave

But there was no warning…

An infamous airborne assault
Secretly designed to destroy on sight
Left a peaceful but great nation
Awakened amidst a horrible plight
Attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese planes view.jpg
Photograph from a Japanese plane at the beginning of the attack.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Ships sank in their moorings
Capsized or were beached
Hundreds helped to save lives
Thousands were never reached

But there was no warning…
USS Arizona (BB-39) during the attack
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
~Pearl Harbor, 1941

Incredibly four years later
A decision was made
Retaliation was certain
Time to lift our façade
We called for surrender
Hoping peace could be made
Threat of destruction
Was the first hand played

Ignoring the ultimatum
Commanded air raid
Two acute nuclear bombings
Lifted our façade
We gave no warning…
Photo Credit: National Archives
and Records Administration
~Hiroshima, 1945

©Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults


"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."
—Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (1884–1943)

The USS Missouri, also known by her nickname 'Mighty Mo', was the last battleship ever constructed by the United States. It is also the only ship in the naval fleet to have fired her guns in both World War II and Persian Gulf Wars. Most significantly, however, was her role in bringing the Second World War to its conclusion; the Empire of Japan formally surrendered to the United States on her decks on September 2, 1945.

ALWAYS REMEMBER, NEVER FORGET. . .
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE -
IT CARRIES WITH IT THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE! 
Related Photos on Pinterest: Some History


1 comment:

  1. I wanted to thank you for your support and encouraging comments during the year, for visiting my blog regularly and for just being a great person in my life.
    I therefore provided you with an additional STAR for your Blog of the Year 2012 Award!

    http://raaniyork.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-stars/

    Thank you so much!!
    Raani

    ReplyDelete