REP. CALVERT STATEMENT ON SIXTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
April 9, 2009
Press Release
Today we remember a day in American History when our nation first realized that the conflicts in faraway lands could harm us at home. A day when we learned that what our enemies lacked in military strength they made up for in treachery and deception. And that a mighty fleet could be laid to waste in a matter of hours in a surprise attack.
But that day America also saw that its soldiers, sailors and marines would man their battle stations and return fire, in spite of the devastation and confusion surrounding them. In the years to come the entire world would witness the "terrible resolve" that filled America on December 7, 1941. Millions would come to know the fighting spirit of the American military, backed by an industrial capacity unprecedented in scope and focus.
For the free world this combination meant salvation, for the axis powers it meant annihilation.
60 years later America again suffered a sneak attack. This time it was at the hands of an enemy whose soldiers wore no nation's uniforms and saluted no nation's flag. Our victims were civilians and the first soldiers on the scene wore the uniforms of firefighters, police and paramedics.
Like the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, America mourned, regrouped and took action. In the mountains of Afghanistan and the desert of Iraq the men and women of our armed forces took the fight to the enemy while our civil agencies protected us from further attacks at home.
Once again America's might spelled salvation for those living under tyranny and annihilation for the enemies of freedom. As today's soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines fight the Global War on Terror they are carrying on the tradition of those we honor today.
We are all inspired by that "greatest generation" of men and women who rose from the ashes of Pearl Harbor to save the world. We honor their dedication and sacrifice, without which America could never have achieved such greatness and inspired those who seek freedom throughout the world.
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But that day America also saw that its soldiers, sailors and marines would man their battle stations and return fire, in spite of the devastation and confusion surrounding them. In the years to come the entire world would witness the "terrible resolve" that filled America on December 7, 1941. Millions would come to know the fighting spirit of the American military, backed by an industrial capacity unprecedented in scope and focus.
For the free world this combination meant salvation, for the axis powers it meant annihilation.
60 years later America again suffered a sneak attack. This time it was at the hands of an enemy whose soldiers wore no nation's uniforms and saluted no nation's flag. Our victims were civilians and the first soldiers on the scene wore the uniforms of firefighters, police and paramedics.
Like the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, America mourned, regrouped and took action. In the mountains of Afghanistan and the desert of Iraq the men and women of our armed forces took the fight to the enemy while our civil agencies protected us from further attacks at home.
Once again America's might spelled salvation for those living under tyranny and annihilation for the enemies of freedom. As today's soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines fight the Global War on Terror they are carrying on the tradition of those we honor today.
We are all inspired by that "greatest generation" of men and women who rose from the ashes of Pearl Harbor to save the world. We honor their dedication and sacrifice, without which America could never have achieved such greatness and inspired those who seek freedom throughout the world.
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