A date that will live in infamy

Pearl Harbor Day, a date which will live in infamy (F. D. Roosevelt). When I think about this day, this statement made at the time, it bothers me. How many people from my generation have ever given Pearl Harbor Day a thought? How many people remember the lives lost on this day? Not many would be my guess.

According to Wikipedia, On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941 America's naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the forces of the Empire of Japan. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and more than 1,100 were wounded. The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four more. It also damaged or sank three cruisers, three destroyers, one minelayer and damaged 188 aircraft.

Why you ask am I speaking of this today, other than the date? I think there is another date in our history that could be said to be "a date which will live in infamy" and that is 9/11/2001. This is that date that will stick in the lives of so many of my generation, my parents generation, but will it have an impact on the following generations?

Just as Pearl Harbor is a date that is learned about in History class to us, will 9/11 just be a date learned about in History class to my children? Is this why History so often repeats itself.

So in your travels today, take time to reflect on those who lost their lives back in 1941. But, also think about the many thousands of soldiers who fight for our country each day. Think of their families who never know when the next day that will live in infamy will occur. Pray for our government that they find the strength to put the lives of these soldiers first.

We can only hope that history will never repeat itself.