Eery American should know about the Pearl Harbor attacks that got us caught up in WWII. It was a vicious and brutal attack that almost no one survived – there were only 18 survivors. But Japan understood the ramifications of having killed aAmerican’s on American soil, Japan’s Admiral Yamamoto is quoted as having said that:
“I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve”
The battles that followed were gruesome, at Okinawa, Guam, Midway, Wake, and most famously Iwo Jima. The consequences for Japanese Americans were stark and horrible, many were faced with biases and mistrust and even interned in prison camps. Some of this wartime propaganda surrounding the Japanese has yet to truly disappear form our culture.
For those 18 survivors of the fateful attack on December 7th, 1941. The memories are burned into their minds, and all they can do now is remember that they fought the good fight. The eldest at the time was in his late 80s, and must have been happy and shocked to have survive. However, The story didn’t end there. These survivors decided to reunite, dressed in their uniforms from back in the day, they decided to get together so they could once more swap stories, laugh, and even cry together.
They’ve all forgiven the Japanese for that horrid attack 74 years ago. Japanese soldiers who survived the war often come to Pearl Harbor to ask for forgiveness for what they did to get closure after having committed terrible acts in war. The day is one the survivors are sure to never forget, and the expressions on their faces as they revisited the horrid attack will always stay with them.
Each had families, friends, and their country and brought their strengths and quirks to the battle. Each survived the war after the attack and was part of one of the greatest generations to have ever lived. Check out the video and watch this incredible moment!