On December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke these now-famous words to start his speech before a joint session of Congress:
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
That was the beginning of American military action in World War II. It was an unmatched time of terror and glory in America — fear that the world and our nation was truly in danger; glory in the knowledge that we had been called to battle against worldwide tyranny.
Sadly, World War II failed to permanently vanquish worldwide evil and tyranny. One could argue that we are living in a world today even more hazardous than 1941, simply because the terrorists are more difficult to identify, are frequently suicidally determined to accomplish their goals, and have access to technology more dangerous and more devious than anything developed in the 1940s.
I hope you took time today to remember those brave men and women who were at Pearl Harbor, and all the brave men and women from America and other nations who rallied to the call and sacrificed their lives and well-being to defeat Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany. We owe them a lot. If you are fortunate enough to know a World War II veteran — and age is rapidly thinning their ranks — give him your thanks.
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