Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony Dec. 3, 2017

 

Good afternoon, I’m Command Master Chief Gary Flesher, Submarine Qualified United States Navy retired.  Today we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country on the day of infamy, December 7, 1941 when the Empire of Japan attacked our fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  I was fortunate enough to be stationed at Pearl Harbor for two tours in my 28-year career.  I lived on Pearl City Peninsula that sticks out into Pearl Harbor separating the east loch and the middle loch of the harbor.  East loch was the location of “battleship row” in 1941.  I can clearly imagine what it was like as dawn broke that December day.  It truly seems like paradise.  The waters are warm and incredibly blue.  Now imagine sailors on those ships eating breakfast in the mess hall or getting ready for church or the Navy band warming up on the deck of the Arizona preparing for morning colors.  That peaceful harbor where ships were moored in neat rows: California, Maryland, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vestal, Utah, West Virginia, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Then at 0748, the world was changed forever.  That peaceful, serene harbor was attacked by 353 Imperial Japanese aircraft launched from six aircraft carriers.  Ninety minutes later, the attack was over. 2,008 sailors were killed and 710 others wounded; 218 soldiers and airmen, today’s Air Force, were killed and 364 wounded; 109 marines were killed and 69 wounded; and 68 civilians were killed and 35 wounded. In total, 2,403 Americans died and 1,178 were wounded. Eighteen ships were sunk or run aground, including five battleships.

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Why would the Empire of Japan have done this?  The Japanese had several major goals in planning this attack. First, it intended to destroy important American fleet units, thereby preventing the Pacific Fleet from interfering with Japanese conquest in the Pacific without interference. Second, it would buy time for Japan to consolidate its position and increase its naval strength. Third, the Japanese sought to deliver a blow to America's ability to mobilize its forces in the Pacific. Battleships were chosen as the main targets, since they were the prestige ships of the Navy at the time.  Finally, the enemy sought to destroy the American spirit, hoping to win a quick victory by making our families and fellow Americans retreat in fear and refuse to fight back.  That was their biggest miscalculation!  For while we may have had limited means with which to fight back, they could never destroy our will.  Americans do not retreat in fear. 

Today, there is another force attempting to strike fear into the hearts of Americans.  On September 11, 2001 enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country.  Americans know and honor our casualties of war, but at the center of our largest city on another serene and peaceful morning thousands of civilians were killed as never before. The world changed again. Since then, we have seen freedom itself under attack.  Once again, our will is being tested.  But once again, the enemy has underestimated our resolve.  Destroying our freedoms -- of religion, of speech, to bear arms, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other are the goals of our enemies today.  President Bush said shortly after the September 11th attack that the outcome of our current war is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them. 

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Americans have argued with each other since the republic began over two centuries ago.  This is perceived by non-Americans as a weakness and internal divisions that threaten our very own country’s viability.  They could never be more wrong. The freedom to debate and discuss beliefs and values is what makes our nation great!  It’s an incredible dichotomy that maybe veterans and members of our armed forces understand the best.  Next week, I will be in full-fledged support of Navy beating Army in their annual football game yet will proudly stand with my Army brothers and sisters against anyone threatening our freedoms.  We are bound to uphold the freedoms and values of America. Our first responsibility is to live by them.

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We veterans and civilians alike are Americans first and have a responsibility to our nation's history to protect it and preserve it. 

The victims of December 7th, 1941 and September 11th 2001 are the guardian angels of our nation, and they will never be forgotten.

As we commemorate this day, let us re-dedicate ourselves to delivering to future generations the same gift of security and peace that was purchased for us by those who sacrificed so much in defense of our freedom.

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May God bless our veterans who serve as living tributes to all the things that make our nation great.

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And may God bless those who follow in their wake – the men and women of our armed forces, every one of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen who stepped forward to defend our nation.

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May God bless the families of those who serve.

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And may God bless the United States of America, which will forever be, the land of the free and home of the brave.

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Thank you.