Those words spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt still ring in the hearts and minds of true American patriots and lovers of freedom.  There are few remaining who were there or remember that eventful Sunday morning, when the surprise attack by the Japanese took place and thousands of lives and multiplied millions in equipment and armament were lost.  History indicates it was partially due to ineptitude on the part of some in command as well a sense of arrogance.  But, hindsight is always 20/20 and it serves little purpose to rehash things learned in the event publicly only to remind ourselves of what happened and how that event truly “Woke Up the Sleeping Giant” of America and the Spirit of Freedom and Liberty.

On that terrible day, more than 2,400 American died including civilians and another 1,000 were wounded.  The tragedy could have been much worse but thanks to the efforts of our military personnel and some quick thinking we were able to salvage a few ships and thwart further destruction, living to fight another day.  The memorial of the USS Arizona is a constant reminder of those who fought and died at Pearl Harbor and their sacrifices should never diminish in our hearts.  By the time the attack was over every battleship in Pearl Harbor, the USS ARIZONA, OKLAHOMA, CALIFORNIA, WEST VIRGINIA, UTAH, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, TENNESSEE, AND NEVADA had sustained heavy damage.  All but the Arizona and Utah were salvaged and repaired.

The attack destroyed about 20 U.S. ships and over 200 airplanes.  Our airfields and dry docks were also either destroyed or so severely damaged they were unusable.  By the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor the Battleship was no longer the most important naval vessel, the Aircraft Carrier had ascended to that lofty position as would be proven in subsequent battles.  Thankfully, the Japanese attack left our vital offshore facilities such as oil storage depots, repair shops, shipyards, and submarine docks intact.  That enabled us to rebound quickly, far more quickly than the Imperial Forces thought possible.

On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda, hijacked four airplanes and proceed to carry out their suicide attack against targets in the United States.  The twin towers in New York City were destroyed with thousands of innocent American civilians killed.  A third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C. and a fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania due to the heroic efforts of passengers who sacrificed their lives for to prevent further damage possibly an attack on the White House or the Capitol Building.

In both incidents, the American Spirit of Patriotism and Love of Liberty and Freedom rose high and our will to survive and stand together against a common enemy was rekindled.  The Spirit of 1776 was reignited, but unlike December 7, 1941, that spirit waned over a few months or years and we not only returned to business as usual with our infighting, but it has escalated to a new height or depth.  America is being destroyed because of a lack of that Spirit that made this country great.  What is happening today is an insult to those brave souls who fought and died in 1776 and in World War II.  It is a slap in the face of all who gave their all to achieve Freedom and Liberty and not only establish the Republic but see her survive and thrive.  Those calling for a World Order with Global Citizenship should apologize to those brave souls of our American past who fought for freedom.

On this Day that lives in Infamy, December 7^th, I stand, fly my flag, and salute the memories of all who fought and those who died to keep America Free.  My gratitude will never diminish and my pride in saying, “Thank God I’m Free and I thank God I was privileged to be born in America”.  To all who love freedom, I ask that you stand united on this day and REMEMBER with RESPECT and GRATITUDE what we have been given.  May we realize, before it is too late, what is at stake in the current political fight in America.  The prize is the Free Constitutional Republic and that is too valuable a prize to lose.

God bless you and God bless America is my prayer and desire!