| Tuesday, May 01, 2007 |
| Teardrops |
It was a very peaceful morning in Hawaii. The sun just recently graced its' splendor on the breathtaking island of Oahu. There were birds chirping, children playing and the ocean rhythmically landing on the shores of Pearl Harbor. It was, for all accounts, just another beautiful day in paradise.
There had, in fact, been some minor differences that happened early on this particularly morning. Around 3:42 a.m. the U.S. Navy minesweeper Condor spotted a periscope peeking out of the ocean's surface. This was reported, but nobody got excited about this sighting. At 6:45 a.m. the U.S. Destroyer Ward attacks and destroys a Japanese submarine. At 6:53 a.m., this attack is radio into the command. Again, nobody gets excited. Around 7:02 a.m., the radar station spots unidentified aircraft heading toward Hawaii. At 7:20 a.m. the officer in charge tells him "don't worry about it." The officer knew that a group of B-17's were supposed to be heading to Hawaii some time that day.
At 7:40 a.m. the first wave of Japanese aircraft (183 planes) attacks the sleeping and unexpecting Pearl Harbor. At 8:54 a.m. the second wave of Japanese aircraft (167 planes) finish what the first wave didn't complete. At the end of the day, the totals were devastating: five battleships, three destroyers, three cruisers and 188 aircraft destroyed and 2,403 dead Americans. By contrast there were 64 dead Japanese, one captured, 29 aircraft and five midget submarines destroyed.
This day was Sunday December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy." The day that spurred the United States into World War II. The day that changed the world as they knew it.
At 8:10 a.m. the USS Arizona was hit and distroyed by 1,760-pound air bomb. This bomb pentrated into the forward magazine causing a catastrophic explosion. The USS Arizona sank with 1,104 Seaman trapped inside. Word got out that these Seaman were encapsulated and were unable to get out. Tireless efforts were demostrated in the attempt to release them from their grave, but unfortuately, they all perished. I can't even imagine the thoughts and prayers that came pouring out of the vessel when these Seaman took their last breath.
I recently visited Pearl Harbor and I couldn't help but notice all the Japanese families visiting the final resting place of these US Soldiers. At first, I was very distrubed by the presence of so many Japanese people at this site. My initial thought was "Are these people gloating at their distruction?" Then, it hit me - these people had no more involvement with this attack than I did. I noticed tears in some of their eyes as they viewed the wall with all of the names of the Soldiers that gave their life that day. I realized that December 7, 1941 was not only the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked, but also the very day that Japan "awakened a sleeping giant."
Now, generations of Japanese and Americans stand there together grieving the loss that happened so many years ago. Tears filled the eyes of all races that sees this underwater grave. There is no hatred, no lines, no division that takes place here at Pear Harbor. This may actually be the only place on earth where we all humble ourselves and remember the choices that we make today, will still have an impact generations later.
As I looked into the water at the USS Arizona, I noticed little drops of oil that would leak out every few seconds. As I looked at these drops of oil through my tearfull eyes, I was reminded that this has been happening every single day since December 7, 1941. Over the last 65 years, these drops of oil have affectionally been called "Teardrops." It is believed that the USS Arizona cries for the loss that it suffered 65 years ago. It is also believed that when the last surviver of the USS Arizona perishes from this land, that only then will the teardrops cease.  |
posted by Capt. C @ 8:42 AM  |
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| 2 Comments: |
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Excellent post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Beautiful post Tom, beautiful and sad all at the same time.
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Excellent post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.