[December 7, 2017] The attack on Pearl Harbor on this date December 7, 1941, by the Imperial Japanese Navy is a day in infamy for many reasons. But it was also on this date that Americans began to find out about being tough, determined, and knowledgeable about freedom. In other words, they learned about winning.
“A lot of people don’t like to win. They actually don’t know how to win, and they don’t like to win because down deep inside they don’t want to win.” – Donald J. Trump
What Donald Trump said about Americans today could also have been said about them in 1941 leading up to World War II. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, many citizens of the United States were physically and intellectually lazy, believed in socialism, and were pacifists. That began to change when they heard about the devastating attack on U.S. forces stationed in Hawaii.
Service, sacrifice, and valor were demonstrated by those under attack that day. Those who followed into war experienced unprecedented levels of trials by fire; gaining sturdiness and grit that epitomized the Greatest Generation. They learned it because the nation was caught off guard despite ample warnings that the Japanese and German military forces were pushing for a larger-scale war.
Sixty years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States was again caught off guard. September 11, 2001, another date that will live in infamy to a new generation of Americans. The lessons from this attack when the nation was not at war are relearned by a newer generation, one that many consider lazy, ideological, and pacifists. They have become winners just like the Greatest Generation.
Many of the 9/11 heroes – police, firefighters, first responders – were veterans and nearly all were taught about the Pearl Harbor attack in history class. They knew something very American; hard work, dedication, honor, and sacrifice are the hallmarks of a winner. Those lessons continue to be handed down from generation to generation. Only when we no longer teach our young about Pearl Harbor will we also begin to give up our freedoms.
The famous American football coach, Vince Lombardi once said that “Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” Truer words have never been spoken.
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Special Note: The following is the Pearl Harbor Historic Site official webpage. I recommend it: http://www.pearlharborhistoricsites.org/