Remembrance - Day of Infamy 1941

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Remembrance - Day of Infamy 1941

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My first memory - 3 yrs old - listening to Pres Roosevelt declare war - vivid image of where I was standing - not because of the POTUS words but the reaction of the adults in the family - had never witnessed my mother cry, etc.

FDR wanted war with Japan since his college days. And he did everything possible to provoke them into that monstrous attack

My Dad, my father-in-law and several of my Uncles all served in WW2. It was a bitter war, but I still hold a grudge against FDR for baiting Japan into attacking us in the first place!! FDR wanted us involved, just like Woodrow Wilson in WW1

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You date me :) I only recall the end of the WWII when the celebrations were crazy in tiny towns like mine - El Dorado, KS

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not by much - I lived in Leesville, LA - home of Camp Polk at the time. They had already started modernizing that place to take part in the Louisiana Maneuvers which were held in upper Vernon Parish. When I was about 8-12 yrs old the military activity was insane around Leesville. We had tanks and associated vehicles rumbling down the street (3rd st) right in front of my house.
Later, we moved out to our farm place about 7 miles north of Leesville, and had to contend with the convoys to get to town and back. A bunch of soldiers bivouacked on our land and I made friends with them - My dad asked several of them to eat with us and mom fixed them a great meal (mom was best cook in the state)
When they prepared to leave the next morning the Master Sgt. came to house and asked dad if there was anything he wanted for them to 'leave behind' - he mentioned he needed some barbed wire. They asked me and I said "K-Rations" - The next morning there was a huge pile of barbed wire in the front lawn and a dozen or more packs of K-rations. (I tried the K-rations and really didn't like them so much so stored them away.)
Great days back then for a young boy - we were practically free range and if we got our chores done, nothing more was asked - expected to be home for dinner if we wanted anything to eat.

WHAT A TIME TO BE A YOUNG BOY!!!!! - I pity these poor souls with their video games - and I have 3 great-grandchildren who are in that group. I fear they will not have the great memories I had - having to recall video games.

I live next door, in Andover. KS

My Grandpa was there. He never would talk to me about it. My dad told me once Grandpa only told him that's the day he grew into a man.

My grandfather and great uncle (basically Irish twins) participated in the LA maneuvers.

On the 8th they both attempted to enlist in the Marines but were denied due to their vision.

The following week they were drafted into the Army.

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I live next door, in Andover. KS

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My dad worked in the Skelly refinery during the war. We moved to Tulsa immediately after the war. I still remember El Dorado fondly even though I was about 5 when we moved away.

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My dad worked in the Skelly refinery during the war. We moved to Tulsa immediately after the war. I still remember El Dorado fondly even though I was about 5 when we moved away.

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I was born in 1960. Grew up in Tulsa and attended Skelly Jr. High.

LINK were the celebrations like this?