Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2020
Certain tragic moments in history hit home.
Then, there are tragic moments in history that home hits.
History of Pearl Harbor
Oahu is the third-largest island in Hawaii and home to the state capital of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. Once deemed a lagoon harbor, Pearl Harbor transitioned into an active and historical military base. On Dec. 7, 1941, it became the location of a tragic moment in history.
Just before 8 a.m. on a Sunday, a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service took the life of 2,403 service members and civilians and wounded 1,143 more.
This was the first attack on American soil. While Hawaii, a U.S. Territory at the time, was in turmoil, Americans around the world were either just waking up and, in the kitchen, preparing breakfast or sound asleep, not knowing the horror that just occurred.
Myself, I was not aware of anything because I did not yet exist. However, my mother did. At the time of the attack, she was a young African-American woman building a life in Chicago, IL. Like many others, I am sure that she experienced fear, concern, and sadness for the lives lost after hearing what had occurred that day; this is something I would have never known until Pearl Harbor became a part of my life.
Life with Pearl Harbor
Fast forward to 1985. I arrived in Oahu, HI for a three-year tour at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Air Station. For the next three years, I would meet women and men that served in every branch of the service, including the Coast Guards. We all embraced each other and celebrated holidays together, as our families were far away. I was attached to the Maintenance Management Battalion that supports the fighting men of the Corps. My assignment was to maintain the percentage of readiness, and we were to never go below 98% in “Equipment Readiness.” That means at any moment we had to be ready for war! Talk about pressure. But I did not see it that way. I was a Marine serving our country with honor and dignity.
While there, I had visited Pearl Harbor many times. Dropping off and picking up friends from the Ferry that traveled the waters where the Pearl Harbor Memorial stood. Of course, I knew what had taken place there and the magnitude of the tragedy, but it was not until my mother visited me that the Pearl Harbor attack events hit home for me.
Shortly after my father had passed, my mother came to stay with me in Hawaii. During her visit, she wanted to go to Pearl Harbor. While there, I experienced something I had never experienced before. There I was sitting, watching my mother run her fingers across the harbor rail and become overcome with emotion as she looked off into the serene blue waters. It was quite sobering.
At that moment, I attached the emotion of a past tragedy to the moment of my current existence. I was not just aware of the tragedy anymore. I had entered the “remembrance.”
Remembrance Day 2020
On Dec. 7, 2020, known nationally as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, the U.S. faces a different kind of attack. It is an unexpected attack on American soil that has taken many lives.
I encourage all of you not to miss this moment. This is a moment in history where we are all navigating the same uncertainty.
How do you not miss the moment?
Semper Fidelis ("Always Faithful"). This is the motto of the Corps.
For me, Always Faithful means to be present in your role and to serve the moments.
At this moment, we all know what it means to be under attack. Filled with fear, concern, and sadness for the lives lost. Don’t miss this moment.
How distracted have you been? How many moments have you missed this year?
Every moment is an opportunity to grow. Grow emotionally, financially, or professionally. A moment could cause healing or your next government contract.
Not missing that moment defined how I approach life today.
Take today to remember the lives tragically taken in an unexpected manner.
Do you have a personal connection to Pearl Harbor? Share this post with your family, friends, and fellow service members. Encourage them to share moments of remembrance.
Always Faithful,
Laurie Sayles