President Franklin D. Roosevelt described December 7, 1941 as “a day that will live in infamy.” That was the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. We were in the kitchen/dining room of our four room house when I first recall the words “Pearl Harbor.” I was sitting at the table when my father said that he had heard on the radio about the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
I have been in Hawaii several times, but visited the memorial on Pearl Harbor once. This is a photo I made of the USS Arizona Memorial in 1982. The structure straddles the ship that serves as the tomb of 1,177 Americans. The total killed exceeded 2,400.
USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. 1982 Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
One of my friends in college was from Hawaii. He and his brother watched the attack on Pearl Harbor from near their home. I’ve heard him tell the story several times. He said they thought the maneuvers were especially good that day. It was only when they arrived home that they found their mother crying, fearful that the older boys would have to go to war.
It is appropriate that we “Remember Pearl Harbor” today. If you go to Hawaii, please visit Pearl Harbor and leave with the determination to pursue peace.
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14 ESV’ cf. 1 Peter 3:11)
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:19 ESV)
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 ESV)
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