George said, "It is with pleasure today, that I thank Thee Lord for the joy of spending this Sunday with our son Dale, and our special friends the Phelps'. Lord, we ask Thee to continue protecting our loved ones, and to bless this food that is set before us. In Jesus' name we pray - Amen."
Bud was so proud that he got to sit next to Dale, and would be able to learn all about ship-board duty. "Dale, what is it like being stationed on the USS Arizona?" Dale smiled, and said, "Well Bud, it's pretty exciting. The Arizona crew's total ship's company is more than the total population of Gibbon, and she also has many of the same conveniences found in any small town." Bud could not even imagine a ship that would hold that many people, and have stores, places to eat, places to sleep, and even a hospital. "do they even have movies aboard ship?" "Yes, they do, and we get to see all of the latest releases." Wow! You probably see movies before we do in Gibbon." "I'm sure that sometimes we do. Did you see 'Aloma of the South Seas', staring Dorothy Lamour?"
Yes I did, I took Marilyn Kirk to that movie on a Saturday, and Dad gave me a quarter to take her. Since the tickets were nine cents each, I had enough left over to buy a bag of popcorn to share with her!" Dale laughed, and said, "You are one big spender, Bud. It's amazing that you could do so much with a quarter!"
The radio was on, with a low pleasant sound of music in the background, when the song was interrupted with a new flash. "It was just reported that Japan has delivered simultaneous bombing attacks on Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Wake Island, and Guam. Japanese forces have invaded Malaya and Thailand, seizing Shanghai, and declaring war on United States and Great Britain"
Everyone was in shock! Dale immediately contacted the Naval Headquarters in California, and was ordered to return at once. Bud said to Dale, "I want you to know that you are my hero, and I will think of you every day. I promise that when I'm old enough I'm going to join the Navy, too." "Thanks Bud, I'd like you to do me a favor while I'm gone. I want you to be my pen-pal, and keep me posted on what's happening here at home. Will you do that for me?" "You bet! I promise to write you every week, and probably my buddies will add little notes, too."
Addie was already comforting Cecil, and said, "Oh Cecil, we will get through this thing together. I'll be saying special prayers for Dale's safety." Reg and Addie felt that Cecil and George deserved some time alone with Dale, so Reg said, "We know that you need some private time with Dale, so we'll just go on home. If we can do anything for you, please let us know." George said, "Thanks Reg, we really would like to spend this little time we have with Dale now. I know we will definitely need your caring prayers for all of us. Your family has always been very important to us and always will be." Reg and Addie and the kids went home with heavy hearts. They wondered what was in store for our country, now that the war they were so worried about had violently erupted at Pearl Harbor.
On December 8th - President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced to the nation by radio that the United States had declared war on Japan. Several days following our declaration of war against Japan - Germany declared war on the United States.
I'm sure that all of you are aware that the USS Arizona was sunk and a very large number of the crew was trapped below decks and went down with the ship. Dale Pitke lost all of his personal effects left on the Arizona and many of his friends. Bud did remain a true pen-pal to Dale all throughout the war and always said special prayers for him.
At this time I would like everyone reading my blog today to say a prayer for all of the families that were affected by this treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor. Also, we should continue our prayers for all of our service men and women now defending us all over the world - let us pray for their safety.
I am attaching pictures from the attack on Pearl Harbor - December 7th, 1941.
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