Browsing through several newspapers to see if any gave Dec. 7 more than a few column inches and, as has been the case over the past few years, I was not surprised at the paucity of articles relating to Pearl Harbor Day.
I have known several of the county survivors over the past few years and have always had the utmost respect for them.
I wonder how many of us can remember where we were when the attack happened. That day is burned indelibly into my memory for what might be considered a strange event. I was with my father, who was purchasing some cattle from a widow in a little (no longer in existence) town in Texas called Eolian. We were in the kitchen having coffee while Dad was writing the check when the announcement came over the radio.
Growing up around cowboys and oil patch workers, I had heard my share of profanity, but this was the first time that I had ever heard a woman cuss. And upon reflection, and my 30-year Navy career, I'd say she was pretty darn good at it.
Turned out that she had four sons whom she knew would be drafted when the inevitable war started.
All four went, but only one came home. So on every Dec. 7 that event comes to the surface again.
In our small ranching community some 30 young men went into the service. That's a heavy hit in a county with a population of 2,000.
So “Remember Pearl Harbor” and offer a silent prayer for all those why were lost on that day as well as the countless thousands who served and continue to serve.
1 LT George Hamm Cannon, USMC Lieutenant Cannon was the first Marine of World War II to earn the Medal of Honor. The heroic defense of Midway Island that followed was an inspiration to all America during the early days of the war. “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant George Hamm Cannon, United States Marine Corps, for distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own condition while serving as Commanding Officer of Battery H, SIXTH Marine Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, Naval Air Station Midway, during the bombardment of Sand Island, Midway Islands, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. First Lieutenant Cannon was at his command post when he was mortally wounded by enemy shellfire. He refused to be evacuated from his post until after his men who had been wounded by the same shell were evacuated, and directed the reorganization of his command post until forcibly removed. As a result of his utter disregard of his own condition he died from loss of blood. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
Thank you for the reminder and your personal stories. I know and appreciate the dedication you have for military and veteran causes.