Remembering Pearl Harbor

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) joined American Legion Post 735 in West Seneca in honoring the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

In a speech to veterans and others in attendance, Gallivan talked about the importance of remembering the events of that day and how the United States responded.

I am honored to be with you today to mark Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

President Roosevelt declared December 7, 1941 a Day of Infamy….which means “being well known or remembered for a bad quality or deed.” The surprise Japanese attack took the lives of more than 2,400 military members and civilians and brought the ravages of World War II to our homeland.

From that bad deed, America stood up, changed the course of history and “saved the world.” 

Like many of us here today…I remember learning about Pearl Harbor and World War II in school and hearing about it from my parents and grandparents.  But it wasn’t until I experienced the September 11^th attacks that I could truly appreciate what it must have been like that day back in 1941.  The fear…the anguish …and the anger.  

Much like the stories I’ve been told about Pearl Harbor …after the 9/11 attacks, I saw Americans standing together, caring about each other, and committing to together protecting the values we cherish.

In the long months and years of war that followed…the slogan “Remember Pearl Harbor” swept the nation and brought Americans together.  74 years later…we come together to make sure that Americans never forget that Day of Infamy and how our nation and our Allies responded.

We honor the memory of those who died…and the families they left behind.  They were members of the Greatest Generation…who served their country with pride and paid the ultimate sacrifice.  It is our responsibility to keep their legacy alive for future generations.

We can best honor their legacy by standing together for the things that make America great, as we did after 9/11, and as we must now – in the face of an uncertain world.

We must remember what happened on this day 74 years ago…we must also remember our response…as President Roosevelt said “the American people who in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”

We must remember these words as our nation faces new challenges today…threats not only from a far off country, but from those within who hope to strike fear in our hearts and divide us a nation.  

Together…we must reject the climate of fear that our enemies are trying to create and harness America’s remarkable resources in defense of our freedoms and our way of life.     

Just as we did after Pearl Harbor….just as we did after 9-11….our nation will prevail….and we’ll do it just as we always have….together, as one nation, under God…indivisible…with liberty and justice for all.

To all of our veterans….and our current military personnel…I thank you for your service.  And I thank you for inviting me to be with you today.