Today is an important day in history. 67 years ago today was the attack on Pearl Harbor.
NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY, 2008
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we mourn the more than 2,400 Americans whose lives were lost in the surprise attack on our homeland that changed the course of history. Their service and sacrifice and the service and sacrifice of all our World War II veterans will be forever honored on this day by the citizens of a free and grateful Nation.
On December 7, 1941, the enemy nearly destroyed our Pacific Fleet, and the United States was forced into a long and terrible war. A generation of Americans stepped forward to fight for our country. Their message to America ’s enemies was clear: If you attack this country and harm our people, there is no corner of the Earth remote enough to protect you from the reach of our Nation’s Armed Forces.
Following the war the United States worked to make our most bitter enemies into our closest friends through the transformative power of freedom. The joys of liberty are often secured by the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than self. To honor and recognize the sacrifice of our Armed Forces, I have designated nine sites as the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument . This monument will preserve our history and help share this heritage with future generations. On this anniversary, we honor the heroes who risked and lost their lives for our security and freedom. Their selfless dedication exemplifies the great character of America and continues to inspire our Nation.
The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America , do hereby proclaim December 7, 2008, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor .
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
May they never be forgotten.
Comments are always welcome.
December 8, 2008 at 8:49 am
Arn’t flags usually at half mast for December 7th?
On a visit to the memorial in Hawaii years ago, it was a little surprising that most of the tourists there were chinese and Japoneese. I was outnumbered on ever flank.
December 9, 2008 at 4:07 am
There’s an interesting story in this mornings Times about Chris Ales and the Marycrest Project about to go belly up. This is just one more example of these people that come before council for these Public/Private partnerships, and taxpayers end up taking it in the shorts. It has been suggested before, but city staff never listens, that in these deals that Davenport should be in first mortgage position so that we don’t forfeit our investment when the banks come in and foreclose.
One has to wonder why you don’t hear of the other cities in the Quad Cities having things like this happen to them. Could it be that the people working in the Davenport Community and Economic Development Office are idiots and need to be replaced?
December 9, 2008 at 10:15 am
anonymous,
Most people do, but now there’s a proclamation on it. The Arizona Memorial is a very solemn place to visit. I noticed an air bubble would surface every so often from the ship and break the surface. A lot of Orientals visit the site, perhaps they lost loved ones in the war as well.
anonymous,
We couldn’t figure out if they were talking about the whole complex, or one building. It’s a shame, we know some people who live there and they like it. As long as State and Federal monies are involved, we don’t see a change coming anytime soon.
December 9, 2008 at 11:19 am
That Marycrest property is really confusing. If you type that address into the Scott County Treasurer`s site, it comes up with multiple parcels and buildings with the same address.
December 9, 2008 at 12:46 pm
anonymous,
The way I understand it Mr. Ales only has one building there, the old library. The rest of the buildings were taken over by another company.