Pearl Harbor Day

USS Shaw under attack

My wife and I were headed to the Post Office today to mail a shipment of Christmas presents off and on the way in I noticed the flag was flying half-mast. I wondered why, and thought it might have something to do with some of the recent rampage-shootings.

While weighing in our packages, the woman working there gave me the date for a form I was doing and said "December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day". I felt bad because I had forgotten - not that it was today, but the date in general. I'm sort of in vacation-mode now and lose track of days sometimes.

I'd like to say thank you to all of the service men and women who died and served that day. I've been to Hawaii a few times, but never to the memorial in Pearl Harbor. I think I should do that my next trip out.

I am of the "younger generation", but I don't want to forget and I want my kids to always remember the incredible sacrifices my grandparent's generation gave for our country. So, thank you to all.

Presidents with military service records

I was talking with a co-worker yesterday about Prince Harry's probable deployment to Iraq. We were talking about the the difference between the British Royalty and the off-spring of our own elected officials. I rather jokingly doubted that any U.S. President would have sent his own son into Iraq.

Of course, it isn't equitable to compare British Royalty to our own president. I'm not trying to argue that one way or another.

It did lead us to a conversation about the tradition of British Royalty to enter military service as compared to America's leaders. I disgustingly commented that it's been a while since we've had a leader with real military knowledge under his belt.

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. - Dwight D. Eisenhower

So, the question I had was how many U.S. Presidents had active military service (G.W. doesn't count) and what kind of record does the British Royalty have as well?

Samurai artifacts

I can't say I know much of anything about these relics. They were on display near where I live, but I couldn't read the sparse placards that were written in Japanese. I know one is a katana and the other a wakazashi, but beyond that I don't know. They were probably more ornamental than anything else. Perhaps a gift from one lord to another. I doubt they've seen any combat since the blades don't show the "wear" others which I know were use in medieval conflicts. I say "wear" since even those claimed from battlefields are able to present a mirror-like finish once they've been restored.

Japan pulling troops from Iraq

...Nukaga issued an order for the withdrawal to begin later Tuesday. The Yomiuri newspaper reported the target for completing the pullout was the end of July.

Polls showed half or more of the Japanese public opposed the dispatch, and many were concerned about the safety of troops in Iraq and the possibility that the dispatch would make Japan a target of terrorists.

WIMPS! Look I don't care for Japan's militarization, even if it does cost the US and their allies billions to maintain security in that part of Asia. They lost the war and have forgotten their roots. A country that claims to be passifistic? You got a lot more to prove than spending your last 60 years of protesting war. What about more than 600 years of on and off war in one of the longest lived feudal societies?

They are afraid of terrorists? What the hell aren't they afraid of. This country has more restrictions based on silly notions of what's dangerous without considering the larger picture. They are zenophobic and their social structure reflects as much within their borders.

Ahh, take your troops and go home. Whatever. Go play footsie with Kim Jong Il.

Korean Museum of War

During the winter break of 2005-2006, I went to Seoul an visited this fantastic museum. I'd highly recommend giving yourself a good portion of the day to explore. While the "ancient" historical exhibits were very interesting, I was more interested in the more "modern" "gun-powder" exhibits. There are things to see inside and outside the facilities. You gotta check this place out!

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