Is it valuable to remember Pearl Harbor? If so, why? If not, why not?

1. 86

   SidKempposted 11 years ago

   Is it valuable to remember Pearl Harbor? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   Today is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. When I was growing up in the 1960s and 70s, it was an important day. My parents remembered the horrible surprise of the attack. It was "a day that will live in infamy." Now, the US and Japan have been allies for over 60 years. What are the pluses and minuses of remembering the battle that launched World War II?
   
   I genuinely have mixed feelings about this, and would like to hear various opinions
   
   

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2. 80

   pippapposted 11 years ago

   I feel it's important to remember this and other tragedies so the past is not repeated.  I also feel that it is important to let go of the negative feelings attached to them.  Pearl Harbour was a long time ago; and, we (and they) have changed immensely since that time.  Holding a grudge would only prevent relations from remaining friendly and co-operative.  We must forgive in order to be forgiven.  Don't forget we dropped a bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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3. 93

   Melovyposted 11 years ago

   I think it's probably important to remember the people who died - as an way of honouring them. However, I think that remembering the horror is less beneficial, and it's probably more useful to honour that there has been, as you say, over 60 years of peace between USA and Japan.  Let's focus on what we would like more of rather than what we don't want!

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4. 71

   rfmoranposted 11 years ago

   I cannot imagine a minus to remembering Pearl Harbor. It stands as metaphor for lack of preparedness. The great 1970 movie Tora Tora Tora did a great job of sealing the friendship between the US and Japan by showing both sides of the story. My uncle was at Pearl Harbor. I have special memories of his stories.

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5. 93

   Paul Kuehnposted 11 years ago

   As an American, it is extremely important to remember December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor Day.  On that date, as the Japanese noted, a sleeping giant was awakened and America started to become a superpower in the world militarily and economically.  If you agree with this reasoning, how can one say that remembering Pearl Harbor is invaluable?

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6. 84

   tsmogposted 11 years ago

   Yes. The event was a climax of many years of pondering. Speculation began some ten or more years before the attack. Actually near to 1920. Strategic planning proceeded preparation, which was undertaken by Naval exercises, weapon development, troop positioning, and much more. And, then the event occurs followed by 'Exit . . . Stage Left.'

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7. 0

   ahorsebackposted 11 years ago

   Why would you have mixed feelings about This !  In todays unappreciative new culture in America ,  remembering an attack on our country  does seem  to be unimportant ,  Personally I think not to appreciate our past  , our heritage , our meaning is a sin !    Patriotism  is a virtue we cannot afford to  deny!

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8. 41

   pramodgokhaleposted 11 years ago

   Sir,
   Down memory lane it is an event. If patriotism and national pride is an issue then anything hurt by external forces then each and every citizen of that nation should withstand for the sovereignty and survival of motherland. If Pearl Harbor is a prepared planned attack then there should not be excuse and then Pearl Harbor is wound on American mind and heart and will bleed for long.
   I saw film Tora Tora Tora, it was really a incredible attack that awakened America and pushed to participate WW-II.
   Military leadership in Japan at that time was cruel and destroyed part of Asia and subsequent torture .killings, tested biological weapons on Chinese by bombing them.
   Thank you for recollections.
   pramod gokhale

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9. 0

   Old Empresarioposted 11 years ago

   I think it's valuable to study it and understand the battle and political events leading up to it on an intellectual level. But I'm against the emotional side of simply "Remembering Pearl Harbor". There's no point in that and it just gets people into a mindless emotional tizzy.

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10. 60

    epusposted 11 years ago

    Memory is a gift from God. We should treasure the memory of our late brothers who shed their lives to protect Democracy and the world.

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