Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, a day President Roosevelt said would “live in infamy.” And for that generation it did. It was their “I remember where I was when…” moment, the event that changed their lives forever. We memorialize world-changing events with “Never forget!”s. But in time, the way we memorialize them changes.
And that, I believe, is the worthier legacy.
When I was in elementary school, two kids whose Japanese-American fathers had proudly served as GIs, were bullied as “J-ps.” Nothing about those actions honored the memory of Pearl Harbor Day. In fact, they dishonored it.
Many years later, Pat Morita, the Japanese-American comedian (beloved as Mr. Miyagi in the original Karate Kid movie) was booked to perform at a naval officer’s club in Honolulu. Shortly before he walked on, he realized it was December 7th. Deciding it would be better to acknowledge the obvious, he opened with the line, “Sorry about messing up your harbor.” There was a moment of terrifying silence, followed by the biggest laugh he’d ever received. Why?
The officers hadn’t lost respect, they’d gained perspective. Pat, who was American-born, had been “relocated” with his family during the paranoia that followed Pearl Harbor to a Japanese-American internment camp. Now, after decades of healing and good relations with Japan, and in recognition of Pat Morita’s own mistreatment, he and the officers were laughing…
Together.
A more recent “I remember” moment is the soul-searing image of the crumbling Twin Towers on 9/11/2001. That event is memorialized every year with speeches and candles. But for years it also included grammar school bullies harassing kids named Abdul or Fatima who didn’t “look” American. That same dishonoring of the legacy of suffering is paralleled in current attacks on people who either are or “look” Jewish or Palestinian.
The way we memorialize our Pearl Harbor Days–and we will always have them–indicates whether we are truly healing. Our remembrances should not be about what we hate, but about what we love. The posters say, “Never forget!” And indeed we should not. But let us honor not just what was. Let us honor what is, and what can be…
Together.
And the day after, my father at the age of 18, joined the Army Air Corps, serving two years in the Pacific Theatre before being transferred to Britain and eventually D-Day. Enjoyed this post, Mitch. Thanks.
My privilege, Jack.
Thank you!
I couldn’t agree with you more, and you said it beautifully.
Thanks, Belinda.
Well said, Mitch. I like the way you think.
Likewise, Liz.
Thanks, Mitch.
I agree completely.
thank you
My privilege, Barbara.
❤️
The “never forget” part is really: Freedom isn’t free. We must be vigilant to resist those who would attack our democratic principles — from without, but more often, from within. Incidentally, my (late) ex-husband was born in one of the Japanese internment camps. That terrible chapter of American history should never be forgotten, lest we repeat the mistakes.
Amen, Caroll.
We need to be careful. Some states are in fact doing it to the homeless.
Well said, we should not forget. Unfortunately there is still a lot we can learn from the past mistakes.
Great message, Mitch! God bless.
Thanks, Nancy, and likewise, my friend.
Thank you. It’s perfectly natural to be angry when someone injures us, but I am reminded that wrong plus wrong does not equal right.
as for september 13
My father was in his High School’s English class on December 5, 1941 where he delivered a well argued speech on why the Japanese won’t attack America. He got an A on the assignment. After December 7 no one ever mentioned his speech to him again. He was drafted a year later and served in the US Army Coast Artillery Corp in the Aleutian Islands as a radar operator for the rest of WWII.
What a story! I imagine the teacher and his classmates thought your father was absolutely right, Andrew. So their silence was probably directed at themselves as well.
Great post. Top sentiment. 🙂
Thank you, Cee Tee.
Amen, Mitch, and thanks! Sometimes I wish the obvious didn’t need restating, which you’ve done admirably.
Wonderfully written post. My Baba had been taken to an interment camp, she never talked about it. I appreciate you posting this.
Thanks, Mitch, for your dignified reflections of this day in history.
Great piece, Mitch. We probably wouldn’t have the current conflicts in the world if people could simply let go and move on from past conflicts.
Well said, Mitch! I well remember my grandparents and great aunt & uncle telling their stories from WWII and the concentration camps, and their memory was so vivid that it stayed with me. But with each generation, the memory fades a little, until ultimately it has little meaning beyond words. This is why today, there is a rise in the Nazi movement, why people think it is ‘okay’ to wear Nazi clothing and do the stiff-armed salute — something that was unthinkable back in my day.
Amen, oh amen! Beautiful. Thank you, Mitch.
Amen, Mitch. I know if we let it heal everyone benefits and grows. The inverse is an open wound sensitive to everything.
Thanks, Gary
Well said, Mitch! I couldn’t agree more!