Wednesday, December 7, 2011

"Remember Pearl Harbor"


On this date in 1941 Japanese warplanes attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
and it's this attack that brought the U.S. into WWII.

In his now famous speech Franklin D Roosevelt delivered to the U.S. Congress the following day
he said, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by navel and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

Yes, that day lives in infamy in more ways than one. 
This fall my family and I attended Wings Over Houston, and during this airshow, the attack on
Pearl Harbor is re-created by the Commemorative Air Force in a show they call "Tora, Tora, Tora".  
It's a real live history lesson, unlike anything you will ever find in a
museum and for me always an emotional one even though I've seen it many times!


The announcer starts recreating the day and patriotic music starts to play and then . . .
as the planes start to fly in you can hear the hum, which quickly turns into a roar
and
as you stand there, 
watching and listening to the initial bombing there is this fleeting moment of
helplessness and a sense of complete panic.
You have a primitive response of fight or flight until you realize it really is just a reenactment.
But it is unsettling still, as you're whisked back in time, getting a glimpse of that day,
bearing witness to a sudden and massive assault. 
The chaos. There is utter chaos.
You are overpowered by the explosions that rock the ground you stand on and you can feel the
heat from the fire on your face. The sound of machine guns comes from every direction.
And. It. Never. Stops!

The smell of smoke not only fills the air but makes it almost impossible for them to see where they are going.
And it's in watching something like this that you realize just how grateful you are for our men and women in uniform, their commitment and courage of selfless acts

And
for your freedom!











































Thank you for joining me to "Remember Pearl Harbor"

Love, Kim
XO




Sharing today at The Creative Exchange




 

18 comments:

Kathryn Dyche said...

Powerful post. Today is my mum's birthday.

TesoriTrovati said...

Very poignant indeed. It must be a very powerful lesson to witness. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
Enjoy the day.
Erin

Lisa Gordon said...

Oh my goodness Kim, this must have been an amazing event to attend. Your photographs are wonderful, and I thank you truly for taking us along with you here!

Thank you also for sharing at The Creative Exchange this week.

Have a great evening!

lisa.

Deanna said...

Thank you for reminding us of that fateful day so many years ago. And thanks to the organization that sponsors this re-enactment helping us all to remember what our men and women did and continue to do for our country. Terrific pics, love those of the planes flying. Thanks for the journey!!

Leslie Todd said...

Kim, that must have really been something to attend the re-enactment! Your pictures are fantastic. My great uncle was on the Utah, and survived the sinking in Pearl Harbor.

Reena said...

Your pictures are fantastic. How cool to have seen the re-enactment.

Kmcblackburn said...

Oh wow, I hope one day I get to experience something like that. It had to be so incredibly moving.

Kathy

Saun said...

Thanks for sharing your pictures are awesome.

Unknown said...

I can tell from your wonderful photos that this airshow really brings Pearl Harbor to life. It's probably something everyone should see to even begin to appreciate the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf.

betty manousos said...

great post!

thanks for sharing this.

have a nice rest of the week!

Nancy said...

My father served in WWII -- so 12/7 always reminds me of his service. These photos are incredible, Kim. Thank you so much for sharing them and the history. :)

Southern Gal said...

What a great tribute. So poignant.

(I've been bad and haven't updated my Project 52 in about 10 weeks. I haven't signed in in that long either. I miss seeing your photos there. )

Unknown said...

wow, love your sepia finishes!

deb duty said...

Amazing photos! I would love to see the show in person. I didn't realize how vast the devastation was at Pearl Harbor until I saw the movie a few years ago.

Pieni Lintu said...

Great shots!

Yuè said...

what a great photos!

Katie said...

Oh my! That looks so amazing!! And your shots are fabulous. ...perhaps we'll join you next year! :)

Pat said...

These are great shots of the reenactment!

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