On this date in 1941, Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing more than 2,400 Americans. It remains one of the worst unprovoked foreign attacks in this history of the United States, and its impact on our country in the years following was comparable to the impact the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has had on our country in the few years since.
The Pearl Harbor attack spurred our government to get involved in World War II, which was already raging in Europe and the Pacific. Our involvement there eventually led to the defeat of the Nazi regime—terrorism in an institutionalized, governmental form—and the Japanese empire. That war included the only wartime use of nuclear weapons in the history of the world (when we dropped atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan).
In the 1940s, our troops were in harms way fighting for freedom and security worldwide. Today, they are doing the same thing (whether you agree with the policies behind those deployments or not). With a new, elected government taking control of Afghanistan today and the Iraqi elections scheduled for the end of next month, insurgent attacks are on the rise. Troop levels in Iraq are being bumped up to the highest levels since the war began to provide security for those January elections.
In memory of Pearl Harbor and those who have given their time, effort, and sometimes their lives to the cause of freedom and security, I want to ask everybody to do me a favor. Troops who are currently deployed in operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom will not be able to spend the upcoming holidays with their loved ones. Thus, it is important that they have the opportunity to call home—which isn’t free.
Through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, you can buy our troops calling cards. You can do so by clicking this link: Military Exchange Prepaid Calling Cards. Calling cards that you buy for the troops will be distributed to those who need them by the American Red Cross. Prices range from about $16 upwards, and I ask you to put some money into this great cause as the holiday season begins.
If this particular cause doesn’t float your boat, you can find out about lots of other ways to support our troops from the DefendAmerica News website.