I can’t imagine what a 23 year-old sailor from a small town Ohio must have thought 70 years ago today. On the battleship USS Tennessee, anchored at Pearl Harbor, he narrowly escaped the bombing, strafing, and conflagration, and eventually got the good news that his brother, also on board, was OK. The experience marked his life for the rest of his days. He later married a country girl from rural Washington State, raised 5 children, worked hard, and enjoyed the fruits of the sacrifices of his own generation.
December 7th had always been a solemn day during my growing-up years. My dad, Richard M. Cary (Sr.) became the subject of increasing awe as awareness grew of what it meant to be at a place like Pearl Harbor at a time like that.
So, I am taking the time and space to honor him and his brother (Fred) and the thousands who were there. They were part of the “sleeping giant” that an enemy awakened on that day. In time, the forces of oppression gave way to righteous indignation. I salute those brave men and women who served their country during those years, and I honor their sacrifices.
Once again we find ourselves standing on the shoulders of the accomplishments of our ancestors. They were mostly ordinary people doing ordinary things. Together, they did them well.
May God help us to be good stewards of the heritage left to us. May we behave ourselves as good and grateful citizens. May we vote, pay taxes, write to the people in government, and obey the laws designed to make life better. We are free to do what we can because, 70 years ago, a great generation did what it could to preserve that freedom.
My God bless you who read and remember, and may He bless the United States of America!
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