Seventy years ago on December 7, 1941, the American Pacific Naval Fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu in Hawaii was attacked by Japanese naval forces. One of the largest attacks in American history, Pearl Harbor still remains a solemn place — a place that is not easily forgotten.

Many of the buildings still bear the marks of bullets and fire damage as a reminder of the battle they endured. The U.S.S. Arizona memorial, erected above the ship which still sits at the bottom of the harbor, bears the names of the many men who were lost that day.

People go there to mourn. People go there to remember.

Most of us were not alive on that day, however we must not forget the sacrifice those men gave 70 years ago.

Some have called for restitution or “payback” from the Japanese. That should not be the case, as many have bridged the gap and have seen the value in positive foreign relations.

What we need to do is give the valiant men and women the recognition they deserve for their heroic deeds and to not allow their efforts to be forgotten today.

All in all, some wounds have been healed, but the big wound left by the attack has never forgotten.

Seventy years later, we as Americans recognize Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. We do not celebrate this holiday like we do Christmas or Thanksgiving, but rather as a day of remembrance.

For those still alive who witnessed the attack, it is a day to remember those friends who fell at the hand of a foreign enemy. For those of us who only heard about Pearl Harbor in our history class or from media, it is a way for all of us to get in touch with those who came before us.

As students, we need to not only be aware of this anniversary and commemorate the opportunities we have as Americans because of the valiant men and women who fought for our freedom as a nation, but strive to make it a day and moment future generations will honor.

It is a day to remember not only the men who died but the courage it took for a nation to stand up and proclaim, “We won’t let this go by. We will make things right.” We remember the courage it took to get into the fight and change the world.
It is more than just a past event in our history. It is a day which will live in “infamy,” as President Franklin D. Roosevelt said the next morning after the attack. It was a moment of fear, but then an amazing sense of courage and unity brought Americans together.

Today, as the unity which has for so long created our sense of nationality in America is slowly drifting and becoming skewed, let us remember the courage all Americans had that day in 1941, and let us give our heores at Pearl Harbor the reverence they deserve, today and always.