Three score and six years ago tomorrow morning, the United States fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor came under Japanese attack. For decades that day has, indeed, "lived in infamy." And it has lived because so many Americans personally lived through it. Now, with the rapid passing of the "Greatest Generation," there is fear that Pearl Harbor Day eventually will fall off the calendar and into the history books. Like so many monumental military dates before, many believe December 7 eventually will become known as "18 shopping days until Christmas."
Perhaps that's part of the problem. Commercialism keeps many important dates alive — from Christmas and Valentine's Day to Mother's Day and Father's Day. If there's a gift to be purchased, consumers can count on being reminded. Ironically, holidays that celebrate priceless gifts — such as freedom, security, peace — tend to fade away like those famous "old soldiers."
Pearl Harbor Day shouldn't become a casualty of our consumer society. And the best way to keep the day alive is to re-apply the virtues and lessons learned 66 years ago to the modern world — for example, the way the nation pulled together, not apart; the way politicians spoke boldly to citizens without ducking for political cover; the way the casualties at Pearl Harbor created more resolve in the American will, not less.
Today, in Hawaii, Japanese citizens and American citizens share the same tours of the harbor, see the same sunken vessels and view the roster of names on the wall. Old wounds have healed to a degree — especially since so many of those who suffered losses and felt the terror of the day have gone to the grave.
That is a good thing. Blending together after a war is important in order for civilization to progress.
But besides setting aside old scores, it is just as important to remember the old lessons. The words of the Revolutionary War rang loud after Pearl Harbor: "United we stand, divided we fall."
That is still a lesson Americans should take to heart. When a nation can't come together, it will come apart. After Pearl Harbor, there was one America. There still is, if we are wise and sensitive enough to see it.