Hi folks,
Sorry for the radio silence on my end—I’ve been so busy working on physical projects that I’ve been neglecting the written ones (JoAnna, meanwhile, is working on a novel and an article . . . fortunately at least one of us is putting words on a page!). I’ll have updates soon . . . after all, I am excited to show off what we’re doing at chez nous!
In the meantime, though, since this is a space where I regularly (and where others have contacted me to) discuss Pearl Harbor, I want to express just how disappointing it was to hear President Trump’s flippant remarks about the attack yesterday. As the grandson of a survivor and as the author of an upcoming book that delves into the horrors my grandfather and thousands of others experienced on the morning of December 7, 1941, it’s disgusting and shameful to hear an American President joke about that day, especially when the Japanese Prime Minister of all people is sitting across from him.
Although I am not a Pearl Harbor survivor myself (obviously), those of us whose ancestors and loved ones were have been entrusted with an important charge: ensuring that Americans never forget. “Not forgetting” goes beyond knowing the date and maybe watching Midway on Amazon Prime, though . . . it means reminding Americans that our peace can be shattered in an instant; that even in times of extreme stress and terror we can access the best parts of ourselves to help others (like Doris Miller, the African American Navy Cook who won a Medal of Honor for his bravery that morning); and that while we might not always be expecting history’s call, we should never hesitate to answer it.
I try to honor my grandpa’s legacy in a lot of ways, which range from being a good dad to taking my sweet time when eating a meal. But being a Pearl Harbor survivor’s grandson adds a community component to that, and therefore I cannot be the only one who does not appreciate President Trump using one illegal, devastating, and ultimately ill-fated surprise attack to justify another one of his own “choosing.”
Anyway . . . that’s it for now. But since it is my blog and I can say whatever I want here, I’ll just close on this one note: I told you so.
I don’t know why I’m still shocked by his behavior but I am.