“A date which will live in infamy”

Sixty eight years ago, a sunny morning turned into a national disaster. The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor began at 7:53 am upon the orders of Flight Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, “Tora! Tora! Tora!” (Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!)
Four ships from Battleship Row remain moored off Ford Island:

- USS Utah: At 0801, the Utah took a torpedo forward and immediately started to list to port. Six officers and 52 men died from the attack. Her partially submerged hulk still remains, rusting, near her original mooring, www.hnsa.org/ships/utah.htm.

- USS Oklahoma: The Oklahoma took three torpedo hits. Within 12 minutes, she had rolled over. 429 officers and enlisted men were killed or missing. The ship was raised, but she never saw action again. The USS Oklahoma Memorial remembers the men who died aboard the ship, www.ussoklahoma.com.

- USS Arizona: At 08:06, a Japanese bomb hit the port side of the Arizona. 1,177 lives were lost, over half of the casualties suffered by the entire fleet in the attack. The Arizona remains “moored” off Ford Island as a memorial to her crew. The ship leak about a quart per day into the harbor. Survivors from the crew say that the oil will continue to leak until the last survivor dies. The USS Arizona Memorial is operated by the National Parks Service, www.nps.gov/valr/index.htm.

- USS Missouri: The “Mighty Mo” witnessed the end of World War II when the Japanese military surrendered on her decks in Tokyo Bay. The Mighty Mo is now a floating museum next to the Oklahoma Memorial. Her bow faces the Arizona as a solemn sentry so those interred within Arizona's hull may rest in peace, www.ussmissouri.com.

In honor of Pearl Harbor, I offer you a video of the Navy’s Presidential Drill Team

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgcGNDxuyoI.

”I doubt that there is anyone in my generation who wouldn’t remember Pearl Harbor.”
Continuing our series of excerpts from George Small, Army veteran from WWII:

”We had lived through our teenage years in the late thirties which was as imply marvelous time. The country was emerging from the Great Depression and was peaceful and prosperous. We had no TV to dump all of the world’s problems into our laps every night … only a little fifteen minute newscast o the radio, so all the troubles in Europe seemed very far away. It was the swing era and the music was wonderful … and then there were football games and high school proms, the small burning leaves on those wonderful fall days, and Saturday nights spent in one of those little bistros along the Pompton Turnpike where a nickle in the juke box bought you the sounds of Glenn Miller or Tommy Dorsey, and we could dance check to cheek (not the jitterbug!). It was a wonderful romantic era and we thought it would never end … and then suddenly it did, and by December 8, we knew that the time was over and the world would never be the same again. We stood around in a stare of shock, realizing our lives were about to take a direction we hadn’t planned or even imagined. At that time I don’t recall much patriotic fervor (that came later) only apprehension … possibly a moment of truth as I look back and realize there were many of us there that day who would not live to graduate (from college).”

Thank you, George, for serving and sharing. George is married to Bertrice Small, NYT’s best selling author and friend to SOS America Inc.

"Would you like your stuffing with or without sand fleas?"
Today’s military remains vigilant around the world, manning the rails, guns, radar screens, and flight lines. During this holiday season, consider doing one nice thing for deployed women - check out the website:

www.doonenicething.com/d1nt-ideas.php

with recommended donations and mailing address. The website lists December 10 as the mailing deadline, but I know deployed personnel would appreciate gifts even after December 25!

What’s next? I have designated 2010 as the Year of Romance … frankly, we could use more love in this world. In January, we’ll celebrate Month of the Historical Romance with over 100 books to giveaway! We’ll also explore the Hawaiian islands in the new year.

Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki hou!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kim Adams
SOS Military Liaison

SOS is Support Our Soldiers (SOS) America Inc. - a 501(c) charity registered with DoD's "America Supports You" network, www.ourmilitary.mil. SOS was established by Kathryn Falk, Lady of Barrow and CEO of Romantic Times. Lady Barrow also created the SOS America Country Retreat, including the Soldiers' Cabin, at her ranch in Alvin, Texas. To learn more about SOS, log onto www.sosamericainc.org.