[Zabo]

69 years ago a whole island was targeted by a country that was blind with ambitions of dominating a vast sea at the cost of millions of lives.

69 years ago that country decided to awaken a sleeping giant with a sneak attack around 8AM on a sunday.

Admiral Yamamoto with ruthless cunning cut down thousands of helpless civilians and servicemen and women that day. His pilots, blinded by patriotism, showed little to no disregard for the sanctity of human life that day under the visage of Bushido.

And 69 years later not many that survived that horrible, barbaric, assault on American soil are around to sit and reflect about those friends that they lost. Those loved ones that they lost. Those fathers.. Mothers.. gone with a bomb from some crazed Japanese pilot who was lead around by the nose with a false sense of duty and 'honor'.

However..

After 69 years those that participated in the raid, and defended against it, now hold hands and celebrate this day as a day of mourning. And I ask that those service men and those family members who had a father or a mother, uncle , aunt, cousin.. who served during the 2nd world war to pause and reflect with us on what now can be seen as one of the most barbaric acts in human history.

While I type this it may read like I blame the Japanese. I do not. I only blame a few men at the top who met their end with due justice. I humbly bow to a people who, since that time in history have moved on and stand with us to denounce what happened.

The Japanese are a respectable people. Just like we are as Americans. Since that day it can be said that though it was a day of infamy.. it was also a day that started a new era for both of us as nations.

I ask that today.. you share a moment of silence with me for those who died on December 7th, 1941.