From the onset of conflicts before World War II, the United States debated whether to join the war and aid its European allies. On December 7, 1941, the debate ended. Congress declared war on Imperial Japan, effectively drawing the U.S. into the global conflict.
The conflict between Japan and China began in July 1937. The war between Germany, France, and Britain started in September 1939, but it took another year to engulf the rest of Europe.
Japan lacked the technology to reach the U.S. mainland. Although Hawaii, which became a U.S. state in 1959, was U.S. territory, it seemed impossible for Japanese pilots to reach Hawaii and return.
The Japanese devised a desperate plan: attack Hawaii and sacrifice their lives.
While it's often said that there are two sides to every story, this isn't always the case. Sometimes one side outweighs the other, and sometimes the other side holds no weight in comparison. When nationalism and fanaticism fuel a group of people, the results can be catastrophic. In such cases, it's essential to focus on the side that perpetrates the violence.
Over 2,400 lives were lost in the Pearl Harbor attack, and the U.S. entered World War II. The human cost of the war was immense, both physically and mentally.
Today, a memorial honors those lost at Pearl Harbor, including the over 1,700 who perished on the USS Arizona. However, it also serves as a memorial to all who lost their lives during and after World War II.
I believe the tragedy of Pearl Harbor deserves more than a moment of silence. I will remain quiet and let the images speak for themselves.
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