Same here. I'm way too young to have been there, but Pearl Harbor and the subsequent war in the Pacific has always captivated my attention. So many stories of bravery, trickery, out smarting the enemy, and sacrifice. Godspeed to our men and women in uniform, both today and of years past. They truly are the best of us.

Tomorrow we lay my grandfather-in-law to rest in a full military service. Though he wasn't in PH, he did serve the Pacific Theater. Hell of a guy; His parents passed when he was 11, forcing him and his younger brother at 9 to go to work to support their other siblings. As he was the oldest, Ed increased his workload so his younger brother could attend college.
It's interesting to observe how this level of sacrifice enriched so many within the family; his brother's offspring have become all very educated, successful white collar professionals, while his family (my father-in-law) produced several resourceful "grinders" who do the best they can with the tools provided to them, in turn just as successful. Remarkable to see the influence, the legacy cast by these two gentlemen.
I am so humbled by it all and by the various stories I've had the pleasure of hearing on this board.

While I agree with the significance of the day and the sacrifices made by our nation...I can't help but think about so many soldiers in our current generation who have served valiantly and honorably for many, many more days in combat (with rules of engagement that make them sitting ducks)...who are never mentioned with such reverence. Greatest generation? It may not be the one we think of...at least not militarily. If you believe in the current welfare state, maybe that is their greatest achievement. I am not sure that was the correct path to take.

You are absolutely the last person on this board to be suspected of malice or mean spiritedness.

I just heard today about a Pearl Harbor vet who was bumped from a flight headed to Hawaii to take part in a ceremony.

The airline decided to take on extra fuel because of weather conditions and he was one of the passengers taken off (for weight considerations) and re-scheduled for a later flight and that flight was delayed by weather about 6 hours.

Wow.....talk about priorities..... :(