The Date Still Lives in Infamy

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Sunday, December 7, 1941. It’s been 75 years since that sunny Hawaii morning when the United States was attacked by the Empire of Japan’s naval and air forces, ushering America into the most devastating world conflict in history. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was audacious in its objective: Knock out the U.S. Pacific Fleet so that Japan can continue empire expansion without interference. (That’s the short version.)

Tactically the plan was brilliant, though the fuel tank farms and dry dock facilities were missed by the marauders. Both blunders cost Japan in the long run. The American aircraft carriers, which were at sea, also went unscathed. Strategically the plan was a disaster as it brought the United States into the war fully committed to defeating Japan, which it did in 1945 after dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

World War II fascinated me from a young age. The air raid on Pearl Harbor was the gateway to my interest in the conflict. I grew up wanting badly to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. I finally got there in 2004 and returned a couple times that decade. It is hallowed ground and a moving experience. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be the first Japanese leader to visit the site when he accompanies President Barack Obama later this month.

The Pearl Harbor attack killed 2,335 military personnel, plus 68 civilians. Most of the deaths were on the USS Arizona. The ship took a bomb early in the raid that ignited about one million pounds of powder in its forward magazines, killing 1,177 men. Nearby along Battleship Row, the USS Oklahoma lost 429 men after taking several torpedo hits and capsizing.

The 75th anniversary event schedule got underway last month and continues through this weekend. Ceremonies taking place on Wednesday include the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration at Kilo Pier, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in the morning and an observance at the USS Oklahoma Memorial on Ford Island in the afternoon.

Of special note, there is a private interment service on the USS Arizona Memorial late Wednesday. John Anderson, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class and Clarendon Hetrick, Seaman 1st Class will have their urns placed in the barbette of gun turret number four by National Park Service and Navy divers. There were 335 surviving crew members of the USS Arizona. This special service is performed for those who wish to join their shipmates’ final resting place. Anderson died at age 98. Hetrick, who died at 92, was the youngest remaining survivor. Only five surviving crew members are left.

Pause for a moment today to remember those who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attack and the millions who died in the greater conflict of World War II. Perhaps regular reflection will keep us from repeating the mistakes that led to widespread colossal bloodshed by otherwise civilized nations.

Rigging Up the Lights

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As I drive around our large neighborhood in my front wheel drive sleigh, it’s fun to look at the Christmas lights and decorations in all their glory. Each evening a few more homes get into the act of exterior illumination. I’ve noticed three tiers of design when it comes to rigging up the lights and other decor. The tiers can overlap a bit, but general distinctions exist:

Professional

Professional Christmas light installers are hired to handle everything. Lights hang straight with no bends in the strands. For those of us who are obsessive-compulsive with decorating, it’s a thing of beauty. These homes usually have a minimalist but tasteful look, meaning the light strands are only one or two colors — clear white or red is the trend — and the front yards don’t include inflatable Santas or snowmen.

Do-It-Yourself

Most people fall into this category on the design scale. Speaking of falling, ladder accidents are common. Roof lines are decorated. Wrought iron fences are often lit. A more liberal color palette is used. Sometimes the lights hang straight. Sometimes they don’t. I saw a home the other night where blue duct tape holding lights to the trim had fallen away, creating a large dip in the strand over the entryway. Lawn decorations also make their debut at this tier.

Clark W. Griswold

Christmas throws up on the house and the front yard. There is no real direction, per se. Every available space is decorated or lit. Lights hang haphazardly out of trees and along the home’s roof line as though the rigger had generously imbibed eggnog while decorating. A few bulbs are burned out. Multiple projected laser or LED lights shine on the house. Tinny Christmas music plays out of a lawn ornament. Extension cords snake through the yard powering the inflatable ice skating Snoopy, which is about to topple over onto the poor Baby Jesus. Best of all, the holiday decor stays up well into the next year. It’s the kind of spectacle that makes one appreciate a homeowners association.

When I was a kid my room resembled the Griswold tier. Lights and decorations were everywhere. I Scotch-taped a fair amount of tacky gold tinsel to the wall. Colored twinkle lights were put up with heavier masking tape. ‘Twas the night before Christmas and ugly as sin, but oh how those lights made li’l Clarke grin!

These days we have electric candles in most of the windows in our home. That doesn’t sound exciting, but when I walk or drive past the house at night the simple elegance stands out. My mom makes a gorgeous wreath each year, which I hang on the front door. Usually I pull out my green theme park laser and shine it on our home, but our siding is currently being replaced, so I’ll keep the light indoors this year. It should be perfect for use in the living room. Our daughter, who already enjoys seeing the “Kissmas” lights around the neighborhood, will love it! I hope to one day teach her all I think I know about holiday lighting. She’s probably the only one who will want my leg lamp from A Christmas Story.

However you decorate for the holidays — tacky or tasteful — have fun! I’ll be looking for your house. Go easy on the eggnog, and be careful on that ladder! We’ll catch up again around Valentine’s Day when it’s time to take everything down…

Thanksgiving 2016

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I’m far from home lounging in a beach house on the rainy Washington Coast. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is on TV. Family is all around, and I’m thinking about the year that has been.

A lot has gone well. Joyful trips have been taken, milestones achieved and major projects completed. Some things haven’t gone as well. Problematic work hours have created tension at home, a minor car accident has become mired in an insurance subrogation quagmire, and Donald Trump has been elected leader of the free world.

Problems aside there is much for which I’m thankful. Our daughter is growing up to be a healthy, beautiful child. My car may have been damaged, but it has been expertly repaired and looks as if it just came off the lot. We traveled a bit this year. We can pay our bills. We have enough food to eat. Our home is welcoming. No one is dealing with a serious illness. We have friends and family who love us, and we love them, regardless of how they voted in the recent election.

So, take a look around. We’ve all got problems and frustrations, but what are you grateful for today? This year? Now If you’ll excuse me, it’s time for dinner. Best wishes to you this Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday season.