Merry Christmas

From the frozen lands of New England, I would like to say "Merry Christmas" and to steal a little bit of the liturgy, "The Peace of the Lord be with you."

I Meant to Do This Yesterday

So now I'm one day too late to remind everyone to commemorate Pearl Harbor Day.
But I can still give my thoughts on it. I am a member of what may be the last generation to have an opportunity to know some of the sailors who were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. To have heard from their lips the vivid memories they carry from that day is a powerful thing. I cannot do their story justice and will not even try to convey the weight of what that day and its repercussions meant for the history of the world.

Would the United States have been drawn into World War II? That I can answer as a certain yes. Would the war have had the same end result? Probably, but it may have lasted longer and caused more suffering, or not, had we been more prepared to enter. We will never know. What we do know is that we must never let the loss of the members of our Armed Forces ever be forgotten or marginalized. For without those willing to fight for their country and against tyranny and the inspiration of those who have done so in the past, we will crush ourselves with an inability to act when it is necessary and even when it is hopeless but there is no other option.

As Winston Churchill once said,

Still, if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without
bloodshed, if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not so
costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds
against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may be a worse
case. You may have to fight when there is no chance of victory, because it is
better to perish than to live as slaves.

Finally, I would like to leave you with a transcript of the speech by Franklin Roosevelt from this day sixty-seven years ago.

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 and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

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.

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.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. 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. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

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

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.