HOW WE SEE IT Remembering Pearl Harbor 72 Years Later

This morning in snow-covered Northwest Arkansas, one might be forgiven for thinking of Hawaii as an escape. The tropical setting would be a nice place to be as the region works its way out of the fi rst winter storm of 2013. But our minds today must also pay tribute to what happened so many years ago.

We start with words of Mr. Roosevelt:“Mr. Vice President, Mr.

Speaker, Members of the

Senate, and of the House

of Representatives: “Yesterday, December

7th, 1941 - a date which

will live in infamy - the

United States of America

was suddenly anddeliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

The vast majority of people living today have no direct recollection of Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attack that launched the United States’ direct involvement in World War II for most Americans is a piece of history, like the Gettysburg Address, the Louisiana Purchase and the American Revolution.

For a dwindling number of veterans and civilians across our nation today, 72 years later, often painful memories of loss and danger mix with nostalgia and humility at the seven decades of appreciation Americans have shown for their service to the nation. Let this year also mark a day of remembrance for the fallen and thankfulness for those living and dead who sacrifice in the name of protecting our nation and way of life.

“It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.”

We are reminded that the United States must be ever-present in leadership among nations to broker peace, but words alone cannot be the measure of trust when we work toward international harmony.

A nation must balance pursuit of peace with preparedness against attack, and must gauge those who might harm us by their actions and historical behavior.

“The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.”

After 353 Japanese fighters descended on the naval base, four U.S. Navy battleships were sunk, others damaged and nearly 200 aircraft destroyed. The most heart-wrenching toll was the 2,402 Americans who died and 1,282 who were injured.

“The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.”

Remember, we must. Remember, we do.

Americans must not let the passage of time diminish a commitment to the vital processes of international relations that can ward off war. It is also our hope that new generations of Americans will believe strongly in this nation’s place as a world leader, not to dictate how others should live but to be an example of the value of freedom.

“With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.”