We Should Not, Dare Not, Forget Remember This Day That Teaches A Lesson Defined A Generation.

Fri., Dec. 4, 1998

By D.F. Oliveria daveo@spokesman.com (509) 319-0354

The soft generation that came of age in the ‘60s and the softer ones that followed owe their grandparents and parents an incredible debt. The seventysomethings now shuffling off the stage endured the Great Depression as children and then helped defeat tyranny on two fronts, launching an unparalleled era of prosperity and prominence that remains today.

Their signature day is Dec. 7, 1941, “a date,” President Franklin Roosevelt correctly predicted, “which will live in infamy.” The penalty this country paid on that Sunday for its isolationism and lack of readiness was 3,700 dead and wounded, including civilians.

July 4 reminds us of our liberty. The Holocaust warns us where racial prejudice and extremism lead. Pearl Harbor Day should make us pause to remember those who fell in the surprise attack and understand that tyrants always are ready to subvert freedom. The United States learned 57 years ago that it must remain vigilant, noble and strong militarily to counter aggressors.

Dec. 7 isn’t just about Pearl Harbor. It’s about the event that pushed the United States into World War II. It’s about fathers being torn from their wives and children to fight and die at Normandy. Anzio. The Bulge. Iwo Jima. “Saving Private Ryan” wasn’t make-believe to them. Pearl Harbor Day launched rationing and sacrifice on the home front. Rosie the Riveter. Joe and Willy. It was the beginning. V-E Day, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the end. In between, the United States suffered 1.2 million casualties to defend freedom.

Sure, the war in the Pacific was tainted by racism. We thought each of our guys could lick 10 Japanese soldiers singlehandedly, not realizing Japan hadn’t lost a war since 1598. Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal and Tarawa revealed our error. Then, we shamefully persecuted Japanese-Americans on the West Coast by confiscating their property and driving them into internment camps.

Now, Japan is an important trade partner and favorite destination of U.S. tourists - proof that enemies can become friends. America has made reparations for torment it caused loyal Japanese-Americans. The media have documented tearful reunions between U.S. and Japanese veterans. And Japan no longer prepares for war.

Pearl Harbor Day serves as a powerful reminder to Japan, too.

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