This blog is a commemoration for this special day by Michael D. "Moon" Mullins, author of Vietnam in Verse, poetry for beer drinkers. "ViV" won the Gold Medal for poetry from Military Writers Society of America in 2007.
December Seventh
Why this day?
Why bomb Pearl Harbor on December seventh?
Why not November twentieth?
Or January eleventh?
Old hearts are at half mast.
That day is not that long ago, that far in their past.
To them the memory is vivid.
It may still make them livid.
Can you imagine being in Eden?
Can you imagine the sun rising in those skies?
Can you imagine a shadow in your eyes?
See the Zeroes flashing by.
That day a sleeping giant did awaken.
On September Eleventh, years later
That giant rumbled, but only raised a bit.
The people back then did not know how to quit.
One thought, one strange irony
Is that day is really Japan’s Independence Day.
It was the first day building toward financial victory.
Who thought history would march that way?
Rather than merely mourn our loss
We should remember the long-term cost
To them and us, still this day.
Our leaders sit on their laurels as our country fritters away.
We need to recall the American will.
We need to strike up the band, no longer standing still.
We wish nobody any serious ill,
But we will not tolerate evil, we cannot just do nil.
The bombs hitting the ground
On that day long ago
Killed many, gave freedom a new sound.
American anger awoke and around the world, it flowed.
Ships lie slumbering in Pearl Harbor.
Our own old vets gather each year to remember.
Try for a moment to feel what they felt.
The freedom we have now was the result.
That paradise became Hell on earth.
It proved our heritage, the old timers’ worth.
When they have all passed away
Will we continue to remember this day?
Will we allow the politically correct
To take this time for our nation’s pause to respect
What they did then and on the days thereafter?
If we do, we no longer deserve to enjoy our laughter.
Please imagine the sounds of thunder
In a blue sky, a shining example of God’s wonder.
Think of stunned people running, with ears ringing,
Then wondering what our future is bringing.
December Seventh.
This day should always be in America’s mind.
Say a prayer for those lost souls.
Say another for September the Eleventh.
Remember the sacrifice, and what God has done.
Mike Mullins' book is available on line from on-line Amazon, B&N, and B-a-M book stores and as an audio-book from the author. Please contact him at this e-mail address; mullins.m.1@comcast.net or via land mail at POB 456 Windfall, In. 46076.
Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68-'69.
He is also Vice President of the MWSA. One dollar from either version goes to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:
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