The Effects of Pearl Harbor
“A date which will live in infamy” The famous quote made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after the notorious attack on Pearl Harbor led to the United States' involvement in WWII. Despite the many years that stretched between then and now, the effects of Pearl Harbor are still felt today by those who fought for the U.S. and their loved ones.
What Is Pearl Harbor?
Pearl Harbor is a United States Naval base, roughly 2,000 miles off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, in the center of the Pacific Ocean. Pearl Harbor was invaded, attacked, and bombed by Japanese forces on December 7th, 1941. The death rate of this attack reached 2,401, which included both soldiers and civilians. The attack on Pearl Harbor was not expected, which led to the severity of the damages and the high death count.
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Quotes About Pearl Harbor
With the magnitude of this event, many important historical figures have had wise and powerful words to share regarding the tragedy.
“You ask, ‘what is our aim?’ I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs. Victory in spite of all terror. Victory, however long and hard the road may be. For without victory, there is no survival.”
- Winston Churchill
"Soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you."
- Dwight Eisenhower
“May God have mercy upon my enemies because I won’t.”
- George S. Patton
There are also a number of impactful quotes uttered by soldiers who witnessed the attack first-hand.
“I could look right out the door over to Ford Island, and I saw these airplanes come down and drop the bombs. When they dropped the first one, I didn’t know what it was, but in just seconds, the debris and smoke and explosions were going.”
- Lester Harley, USS Jarvis
“And the bombs felt like they were blowing the meat off of your body. Every bomb that drops, you think it’s gonna hit you.”
- Russell McCurdy, USS Arizona
“I stood there with my mouth wide open, watching (a torpedo) go through the water. (The USS Oklahoma) was over on its side in 20 minutes. The guys that were firing machine guns on the side, they were blown in the air and came down in the water.”
- Paul Kennedy, USS Sacramento
Impact of Pearl Harbor
Almost immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, on December 8th, 1941, President Roosevelt declared War on Japan, which Congress accepted. This was the beginning of America entering WWII. Fortunately, even with the massive amount of destruction caused by the Japanese, the base’s most vital facilities were left intact, causing the U.S. Navy to rebound quickly. At the same time, these soldiers witnessed horrors beyond human comprehension, with many losing their brothers to violence and destruction.
The After-Effects of Pearl Harbor Today
Not only was the attack on Pearl Harbor a catalyst for U.S. involvement in WWII, but it also changed history. WWII resulted in the U.S. becoming a global military and political superpower. Although the attack happened many years ago, the effects of Pearl Harbor still remain. The event will always be remembered, and the family members who lost their loved ones are still hurting. Many of the survivors of Pearl Harbor, the few that are still alive today, express the difficulty in remembering the tragedy that ensued following the attack.
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There Is No Need to Struggle in Silence
Veterans and active-duty personnel, as well as their families, are all affected when it comes to these tragic and, at most times, surprising events. Oftentimes, veterans and active-duty military struggle to manage difficult memories and emotions associated with the combat they’ve personally experienced. Many eventually develop a mental illness, most commonly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as a result.
What we want these brave individuals to understand is that they do not have to face what they are struggling with alone. Banyan Treatment Centers Military & Veterans in Recovery program offers numerous levels of care and support to the military, veterans, and their families. Through the many effective therapy programs we offer, our patients have the ability to receive genuine PTSD recovery.
For more information about the rehab programs for veterans that are offered, call Banyan’s military rehab center at 888-280-4763 and speak with an intake specialist today.
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