Members of the Neptune High School NJROTC honor guard and NHS 11th grader Jordan Vinson during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. Ocean Grove, NJ. 2013. Paul Goldfinger photographs. Click images to enlarge.
By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor. Blogfinger.net 2013–repost.
Seventy two years ago, on a Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, America was attacked at Pearl Harbor, and 2,400 of our citizens died. The next day, President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress to authorize a declaration of war. FDR said, “We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.”
In Ocean Grove there is always a memorial ceremony on this date. I don’t know how long it has been going on, but it is a tradition. Not many towns have such an event, and this morning, at 11 am, a group gathered consisting mostly of members of the Ocean Grove Fishing Club and various veterans organization from the area. Also in attendance was an honor guard from the NJROTC at Neptune High School. If they look familiar, you have probably seen them marching in Ocean Grove parades.
An 11th grader from NHS, Jordan Vinson, sang the Star Spangled Banner accapello, and it was lovely and heartfelt. After the event I asked her if she ever sang the national anthem with an orchestra, and she “no,” but she gave me a big bright smile when I said, “Maybe some day you can stand in front of an orchestra in the Great Auditorium and sing it.”
It was cold up on the pier, but everyone stood and joined in the pledge of allegiance and in the singing of “God Bless America.” Joan Dawson, of the OG Fishing Club, spoke at the brief event which lasted about 30 minutes. She mentioned the veterans and how we honor them at an event like this and then she proudly told of all the accomplished women now serving in the armed forces.
Firing volleys in honor of the dead.
Then a group of riflemen fired a volley in tribute to those who died that day. The casings flew up into the air while the veterans present, wearing their VFW or American Legion hats, stood at attention and saluted.
At attention during taps.
Robert Hodges, the Monmouth County Commander of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the VFW told me that he commands over 20 chapters in the area. I took his picture and he said, “I remember you.”
“That’s right” I replied, “I put your photo on my blog, and I will do it again this time,” as I handed him one of our cards. The kids in the honor guard got Blogfinger cards and so did Jordan.
Commander Robert Hodges, Monmouth American Legion and VFW.
L to R: Joyce Dawson, Joyce Bradley, Pam James, and Joan Sunnerville. It was a day for J names.
Three patriotic ladies from Neptune stood in front, side by side, to sing “God Bless America,” conducted by maestro Joyce Dawson. They sang with enthusiasm, and Joyce Bradley, the President of the Neptune VFW Auxiliary asked me to take their photo. I was going to anyhow. Having been to this event before, I knew what to expect and I was not surprised at the pride and sincerity of those who were present.
If any members of the NHS honor guard send me an email, I can mail them a few more photos (Blogfinger@verizon.net)
RUBY BRAFF (cornet) and DICK HYMAN (Wurlitzer theatre organ) “America the Beautiful.”
This evening on Charlie Rose Show Mr. Larry Summers made an interesting remark about the US ignoring warnings that there was to be an attack. He quoted from a book he read that investigated that charge. It seems officials had been given repeated warnings for three prior years about an attack to come. This puts into a different perspective the mindset of officials who did not react as we would have expected.
A bit like all those months of emails flying around warning the healthcare website would not be ready.
Paul:
Do you expect your readers to accept your simple opinion that this is “nonsense?” Rather I think you should let (even encourage) your readers to research & read and decide themselves with their own free minds regarding this matter.
Some quick facts :
Robert Stinnet who wrote the definitive book about this matter is a decorated WW2 Navy Veteran.
Washington/FDR deciphered messages from the Japanese days prior to the Pearl Harbor (*PH) attack wherin it was clear that PH was going to be attacked.
11/29/41 – Secretary of State Cordell Hull disclosed to newswriter Joseph Lieb deciphered messages from Tokyo re planned PH attack. He said FDR planned to let it happen.
12/6/41 – A day prior to 12/7 PH attack Japanese declaration of War was received by FDR.
Everyone knew that FDR was preparing & wanting to go to war. He needed an excuse & reason to do so. Pearl Harbor was it.
P.S. – Although Blogfinger originally did not post my comment I appreciate that they eventually did do so. How about some other comments from others ?
Frank S. What we have here is a conspiracy theory, much like those that are out there regarding another attack on America—9-11. Do you really expect our readers to accept a reading assignment from you on this? How about a quote from a respected source that says that FDR knew about the attack and allowed it to happen.
Paul : Sorry you think this is not nonsense but it is not. Alas it is so. For starters read Robert Stinnett’s book on the matter : Day Of Deceit. Then see comments made by former U.S. Navy Admiral Robert Theobald, former U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson, and former Chief of Staff Clifford Andrew. Or simply google the matter and you will find dozens of credible websites thru which to educate yourself.
Please do understand that I am not defending or endorsing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was awful. However as awful was that FDR did nothing to stop it.
Want to discuss the internment camps our government sent innocent Japanese to as our next subject ? Or quotas on jews allowed to immigrate to the U.S. after the war ? Or U.S. anti semitism and denial of Hitlers evil which kept us from entering war earlier ?
Our government is not perfect and not everything we have done/do is right. History is often biased. Questioning our government is both our right and responsibility. It is in fact patriotic. God bless America.
Frank S: I think this is nonsense: Please tell us the source of the “documented fact” that you are quoting.
It is tragic that so many died at Pearl Harbor. It is also tragic that FDR knew about this “surprise” attack beforehand and purposely did nothing. Gave him excuse he had been looking for to declare war. This is not rumour or mere conjecture. It is a documented fact backed up by now disclosed info.
Loved the Pearl Harbor on the Fishing Pier coverage. For most of the 20 years I was a member I attended and was moved. I was 11 in 1941 and remember the news still.
Blogfinger was not notified by any of the sponsors. I learned about it from the Coaster and posted it yesterday.
I’m so sorry I missed this morning’s ceremony. I had been reminded by the announcement in the COASTER. I drove by yesterday morning and saw that it had been rained out. Unfortunately, the announcement did not mention a raindate so I was not able to pay my respects; I envy those who did.
I will definitely be more aware next year.