My Dad was stationed at Hickham (a stone's throw from PH) in December, 1941. He had gone into his office that morning to pick-up something and heard the initial attack. Another couple of guys ran into his office and yelled that PH was under attack. He ran outside to see and they stayed inside. A Japanese Zero flew low and started straifing the buildings. Dad recognized the Rising Sun on the plane and started running towards the Officer's Club. He threw himself on the ground and waited to be hit. He looked sideways and saw his office windows explode and the guys inside killed.
That is the beginning of his diary entry for that date. He goes on to explain about the rest of that day and those that followed. It is an incredible read. He continued his military career for 29 more years (he'd already been in for 6 years), retiring in 1970.
Dad died last year on Nov. 7th, his 88th birthday. There are fewer and fewer survivors of that day (and of all the other days of WWII). If you know a WWII combat veteran, ask him if he would share his stories with you and your children. It is personal history that needs to be recorded. If you don't know any, please read Tom Brokaw's books on "The Greatest Generation".
I have asked several children ds's age (11 years old) what they know about this date (same goes for Nov 11th). Sadly, I guess they don't teach much about this date anymore in schools. Not one, out of 12 children asked, knew what either of those dates meant (4 of them thought it was the date for Thanksgiving
). I mentioned this to an ADULT friend and she didn't know either, but asked ifthey were some president's birthday.
That is the beginning of his diary entry for that date. He goes on to explain about the rest of that day and those that followed. It is an incredible read. He continued his military career for 29 more years (he'd already been in for 6 years), retiring in 1970.
Dad died last year on Nov. 7th, his 88th birthday. There are fewer and fewer survivors of that day (and of all the other days of WWII). If you know a WWII combat veteran, ask him if he would share his stories with you and your children. It is personal history that needs to be recorded. If you don't know any, please read Tom Brokaw's books on "The Greatest Generation".
I have asked several children ds's age (11 years old) what they know about this date (same goes for Nov 11th). Sadly, I guess they don't teach much about this date anymore in schools. Not one, out of 12 children asked, knew what either of those dates meant (4 of them thought it was the date for Thanksgiving
). I mentioned this to an ADULT friend and she didn't know either, but asked ifthey were some president's birthday. 
