OT: December 7, 1941

Colbert17!

Heisman
Aug 30, 2014
17,416
18,865
113
As time moves on the memory of Pearl Harbor seems to fade. Only a few survivors of the attack are still alive and as the Greatest Generation passes on fewer and fewer Americans know much about it. September 11 is the new memorable date in U.S. history.
Next summer on my way back to the States for a visit I will make my first ever trip to Pearl Harbor. I'm sure it will be one I'll never forget. Please take a moment today to remember those lost on that day.
 

gunboat

Senior
Jan 16, 2007
1,375
416
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Holy ground with oil bubbling up from the fuel tanks many years later. As sailors die their remains can be interned in the hull by divers. I haven't been there in over 20 years but at the bottom left side of the roll call are the "new" inductees if I remember correctly.
 

Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,550
16,514
113
As time moves on the memory of Pearl Harbor seems to fade. Only a few survivors of the attack are still alive and as the Greatest Generation passes on fewer and fewer Americans know much about it. September 11 is the new memorable date in U.S. history.
Next summer on my way back to the States for a visit I will make my first ever trip to Pearl Harbor. I'm sure it will be one I'll never forget. Please take a moment today to remember those lost on that day.

Great post colbert17. World events that were seen to be historically significant in our lifetime seem to get pushed to the wayside and almost forgotten as time goes on. Also true about few survivors of WW2 remaining.

My neighbor is turning 94 next month. He no longer drives a car, so I take him to get his haircut and to the store when he needs things. Enlisted in the Marines at 17 and fought every major battle in the Central Pacific w the 4th Marine Division incldg Marshall Islands, Tinian, Saipan and fought the entire engagement at Iwo Jima. Out of 220 soldiers that started in his unit, he is one of only two who finished the war. Bruno is a national treasure and will be greatly missed by all who knew him when his time comes.
 

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
49,117
60,309
113
For many now, it's just a date in the history books. They've recovered some lost footage from that day: a short film that puts together all existing shots should be mandatory watching in every American History class.
As time moves on the memory of Pearl Harbor seems to fade. Only a few survivors of the attack are still alive and as the Greatest Generation passes on fewer and fewer Americans know much about it. September 11 is the new memorable date in U.S. history.
Next summer on my way back to the States for a visit I will make my first ever trip to Pearl Harbor. I'm sure it will be one I'll never forget. Please take a moment today to remember those lost on that day.
I think for those who visit the Memorial the memory will never fade. Looking down at that ship lying underneath you will stay with you forever. More people need to make that pilgrimage.



Make sure when you're there to go across the harbor to walk the decks of the USS Missouri.
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
30,733
0
Great post colbert17. World events that were seen to be historically significant in our lifetime seem to get pushed to the wayside and almost forgotten as time goes on. Also true about few survivors of WW2 remaining.

My neighbor is turning 94 next month. He no longer drives a car, so I take him to get his haircut and to the store when he needs things. Enlisted in the Marines at 17 and fought every major battle in the Central Pacific w the 4th Marine Division incldg Marshall Islands, Tinian, Saipan and fought the entire engagement at Iwo Jima. Out of 220 soldiers that started in his unit, he is one of only two who finished the war. Bruno is a national treasure and will be greatly missed by all who knew him when his time comes.

Next time you see your neighbor, shake his hand for me.
 

phs73rc77gsm83

All-Conference
Aug 11, 2011
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My dad was a navigator on a B29 in the Pacific. He passed a few years ago but every year on this day he'd tell us, and later the grandkids, about listening to the radio and hearing the news.
 

FELONIOUSMONK

All-American
Apr 1, 2012
11,909
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Standing over the monument in 1985 on my honeymoon between a bunch of American vets and Japanese vets was one of the most powerful l moments of my life.
 
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RUchip

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Oct 15, 2010
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Sadly I think 9/11 will eventually turn into a fading day of rememberance much like Pearl Harbor has. I remember 3 years seeing more articles and tweets on the anniversary death of John Lennon (12/8) than PH. Very sad
 

beaced_rivals

Heisman
Jul 18, 2004
32,005
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On that Day,12/07/41 my buddy Donnie Emerson and I had gone to the Paramount Theater on Market St. in Newark where we lived.We boarded a bus to go home after the movies.Knew nothing about the attack until we heard people talking about it in the back of the bus.The next day,in school,South Side H.S.,we all heard President Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech,as it was broadcast over the school's loud speaker system.Compelling to say the least.When I turned 18 I wound up in the Army Air Corps,Donnie in the Marines.He made it through the conflict. Don't know if he is still alive but here I am posting on the RU FB board.RU FOOTBALL .The second greatest LOVE of my Life.
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
30,733
0
On that Day,12/07/41 my buddy Donnie Emerson and I had gone to the Paramount Theater on Market St. in Newark where we lived.We boarded a bus to go home after the movies.Knew nothing about the attack until we heard people talking about it in the back of the bus.The next day,in school,South Side H.S.,we all heard President Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech,as it was broadcast over the school's loud speaker system.Compelling to say the least.When I turned 18 I wound up in the Army Air Corps,Donnie in the Marines.He made it through the conflict. Don't know if he is still alive but here I am posting on the RU FB board.RU FOOTBALL .The second greatest LOVE of my Life.

No words, other than "thank you".
 

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
114,676
53,898
102
My dad was a navigator on a B29 in the Pacific. He passed a few years ago but every year on this day he'd tell us, and later the grandkids, about listening to the radio and hearing the news.
Wife’s Grandmother’s friend was also navigator on a B-29. He is gone too. Maybe the two old navigatiors are both plotting a course to share lunch up in Heaven.

He would always tell us if it wasn’t for the Marines on Iwo Jima he would never have made it back since they had to crash land there three times.
 
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DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
49,117
60,309
113
My dad was a navigator on a B29 in the Pacific. He passed a few years ago but every year on this day he'd tell us, and later the grandkids, about listening to the radio and hearing the news.
My dad was less than a month away from being deployed as a navigator on a B29 over Japan when they dropped the bomb. He often talked about the same thing, listening to the news then to FDR's response. His uniform hangs in my closet now.
 

PiscatawayMike

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
17,396
15,350
113
Every Dec. 7, my thoughts are with Alex Kopacz (on the right in the photo below). He was a Pearl Harbor survivor. To me he was Uncle Dink or Dingy (nicknames used far more often than his given name by those close to him). I have many great memories of him. Today, I raise a glass in honor of those who lost their lives in 1941 as well as those who survived and went on to protect ours.

 
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RUTGERZ_R00LZ

Senior
Dec 10, 2002
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My uncle (father's brother) came to America at age 4 and joined the Navy at 16. He served on the Arizona until discharged in 1940. The day after the pearl Harbor attack he reenlisted and served in the Pacific as a radioman (CPO) until the war's end. I have 2 of his Arizona cruise books (1939) from his inheritance.

He ad quite a life. RIP Uncle Eddie.
 

RU96inNC

Sophomore
Sep 21, 2011
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Great post colbert17. World events that were seen to be historically significant in our lifetime seem to get pushed to the wayside and almost forgotten as time goes on. Also true about few survivors of WW2 remaining.

My neighbor is turning 94 next month. He no longer drives a car, so I take him to get his haircut and to the store when he needs things. Enlisted in the Marines at 17 and fought every major battle in the Central Pacific w the 4th Marine Division incldg Marshall Islands, Tinian, Saipan and fought the entire engagement at Iwo Jima. Out of 220 soldiers that started in his unit, he is one of only two who finished the war. Bruno is a national treasure and will be greatly missed by all who knew him when his time comes.

What an incredible story, and blessing that you have access to his brain. I mean, the stories he must have are probably amazing! Definitely shake his hand for me as well next time you see him!
 

batts

All-Conference
Jun 6, 2001
6,944
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My first grade teacher in School No. 6 in Jersey City, Mrs. Wright, told the class that she lost her son in the Pearl Harbor attack. He was on board the Arizona. A few years ago, I found a website that listed the victims of the attack and I did find a sailor named Wright among the dead. R.I.P. all those who lost their lives on that date.
 
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MYHATINTHERING

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Mar 25, 2015
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On that Day,12/07/41 my buddy Donnie Emerson and I had gone to the Paramount Theater on Market St. in Newark where we lived.We boarded a bus to go home after the movies.Knew nothing about the attack until we heard people talking about it in the back of the bus.The next day,in school,South Side H.S.,we all heard President Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech,as it was broadcast over the school's loud speaker system.Compelling to say the least.When I turned 18 I wound up in the Army Air Corps,Donnie in the Marines.He made it through the conflict. Don't know if he is still alive but here I am posting on the RU FB board.RU FOOTBALL .The second greatest LOVE of my Life.
Thank you
 

Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,550
16,514
113
What an incredible story, and blessing that you have access to his brain. I mean, the stories he must have are probably amazing! Definitely shake his hand for me as well next time you see him!

Thx for the post. What you say is true. I feel blessed knowing this man and spending time with him. I see him twice a day as I walk past his house with the dog and always chat with him. He’s a big Yankee fan, from Albany area, talks Yankee baseball and gives me advice on my golf game. And it’s good advice.

Anyone here who knows a Vet, even casually, reach out and show interest in them. Talk to them. They are wonderful people and gave up a great deal of their lives to protect our freedom. In some cases they have outlived their friends and family. They gave their service willingly and unselfishly to the benefit of their country.
 

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
114,676
53,898
102
My first grade teacher in School No. 6 in Jersey City, Mrs. Wright, told the class that she lost her son in the Pearl Harbor attack. He was on board the Arizona. A few years ago, I found a website that listed the victims of the attack and I did find a sailor named Wright among the dead. R.I.P. all those who lost their lives on that date.
What street was that on? Was it near Newark Ave?
 

asgot

All-Conference
Aug 8, 2017
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On that Day,12/07/41 my buddy Donnie Emerson and I had gone to the Paramount Theater on Market St. in Newark where we lived.We boarded a bus to go home after the movies.Knew nothing about the attack until we heard people talking about it in the back of the bus.The next day,in school,South Side H.S.,we all heard President Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech,as it was broadcast over the school's loud speaker system.Compelling to say the least.When I turned 18 I wound up in the Army Air Corps,Donnie in the Marines.He made it through the conflict. Don't know if he is still alive but here I am posting on the RU FB board.RU FOOTBALL .The second greatest LOVE of my Life.
Thank you for your service in our greatest hour of need. You and your friend and all of the people who fought along side of you are true hero's
 
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ru8081

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
2,458
1,417
113
If you go to Hawaii do not miss Pearl Harbor. It is an unbelievable experience. You can still see the oil coming up from the Arizona. It is called the black tears.
 
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Yeah Baby

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Aug 14, 2001
19,261
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I wasn’t near being born for Pearl Harbor and was in HS when Lennon died. At that time the Lennon loss hit hard and was a sad event but I think of his music now and not his tragic death. I think of Pearl Harbor every year when this date rolls around and mourn the tragic loss of those I did not know.

Thanks Beaced and others for your service.
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
96,027
69,854
113
My dad was a navigator on a B29 in the Pacific. He passed a few years ago but every year on this day he'd tell us, and later the grandkids, about listening to the radio and hearing the news.

My dad was listening to the radio too. My mom was at the movies. Dad fought in Europe while mom was still in HS for part of the War.

They both said the didn't know exactly what Pearl Harbor was at the time.
 

phs73rc77gsm83

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Aug 11, 2011
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My dad was listening to the radio too. My mom was at the movies. Dad fought in Europe while mom was still in HS for part of the War.

They both said the didn't know exactly what Pearl Harbor was at the time.
I think your parents were right, probably most people didn't know where Pearl Harbor was. But virtually everyone I ever talked to that was alive at that time knows or knew exactly where they were when they heard.
 

Tango Two

Heisman
Aug 21, 2001
58,658
37,587
78
I wasn’t near being born for Pearl Harbor and was in HS when Lennon died. At that time the Lennon loss hit hard and was a sad event but I think of his music now and not his tragic death. I think of Pearl Harbor every year when this date rolls around and mourn the tragic loss of those I did not know.

Thanks Beaced and others for your service.
 

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
33,014
48,184
113
heros, all of them.

we've a member of the family still on the Arizona

pray their souls are all at peace
 
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MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,647
16,440
113
Sadly none of the survivors living today were able to make it to the 2025 ceremonies
Age has become a factor and soon those that have first hand memory of "That day that will live infamy"
will not be around to tell their first hand accounts of the Dec,7,1941 attack on Pearl Harbor .

Let us and our children along with our children's children never forget and al;ways honor those that died that day along with being grateful that there were survivors of that attack that were able to make it to the memorial ceremony for many years telling their accounts of what went on that day.