Pearl Harbor Day

When I woke up on the morning of December 7, I had a feeling this was a date to remember, but what? “Yes” I realized this is the date that President Roosevelt told us would be in infamy forever. The Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, a US island in Hawaii. Our country was plunged into World War II. I was a six-year-old first grader. I was told the news in the usual way. My father read news items from the Atlanta Journal as we ate our breakfast. At that time the Journal was an evening paper and arrived in Swainsboro on the early morning Greyhound Bus. Of course I did not comprehend the news, but when my father spoke, I listened. All grammar school students went to chapel in an auditorium building on the campus. We sat in pull-down seats in rows lowered down to the stage according to grades. AS a small six-year-old, I was not heavy enough to hold the seat down. I learned patriotism of my country as I continually pushed my seat down. We felt our love of country through singing, God Bless America, My country Tis of thee, America the Beautiful and Let’s Remember Pearl Harbor and Go On to Victory. General Douglas McArthur was in charge of US forces in South Pacific and our hero. We added Let’s Remember McArthur and Go On to Victory. We thought his first name was Mac and last name to be Arthur. We loudly sang Let’s Remember Mac Arthur and Go on To Victory.

Eighty-three years ago in 1945, our country did go on to victory against Japan. Other wars have come and gone, but Pearl Harbor Day always touches my patriotism. I am proud to be an American and know I’m free and thank the folks who gave this right to me. Write to Shirley at sptwiss@gmail.com.

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