What they fought for

“Let’s remember Pearl Harbor, as we go against the foe

Let’s remember Pearl Harbor, as we did the Alamo

Let us always remember how we lived for victory

Let’s remember Pearl Harbor and go on for victory!”

We were a very patriotic nation on Dec. 7, 1941. We loved our nation and the freedom it gave us. I was one month shy from my 17th birthday when I heard President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announce to our nation that Japan had bombed our military base in Hawaii. Decades later, I witnessed the silent tomb of the USS Arizona laying on the sea floor and it brought tears to my eyes.

I am sad, disappointed and angry that it seems so many of the younger generations were not taught the facts of that attack and the terrible loss of life to defend this great nation. How could this be that our democratic republic has allowed this to happen? Do our young people today know how much good our nation has done throughout the world and for the nations of the world in the name of democracy?

I am 93 years old and will always “Remember Pearl Harbor and go on to Victory!” I hope that others, young and old, who love our country will always share the greatness of this country with the world and be glad to be part of “The land of the free and the home of the brave!”

Llewellyn Ingwaldson

Spokane Valley